Byte-Sized Acts of Kindness: Beautiful Connections in Changing World

As those of you that know me well know, I'm a really big fan of music and art. As I make my way around the world, I always love to take some time out to visit new galleries, libraries and museums and usually have my favourite tunes blaring away on my earbuds to help me to stay focused and grounded. Last week I was fortunate to visit the fabulous #Wonderspaces Exhibition in Scottsdale Arizona, which was an utter delight to the senses that recharged my batteries considerably. Whilst I was wandering around the stunning exhibits the wonderful Heather Small popped up again in my listen again feed like an old friend to say hello and led me to ask myself one of life's hard questions.

What have you done today to make you feel proud?

Reflecting on this question made me realise that October is not just a time for general #spookiness, but was a month that brought together two powerful initiatives which I am immensely proud to play a small part in Cybersecurity Awareness Month and ADHD Awareness Month. While these two themes might seem unrelated at first, they actually share a deeper connection, especially when we consider the strengths that #neurodiverse individuals, particularly those with #ADHD, bring to the table. The ability to spot patterns, make connections, and think creatively gives neurodiverse people an edge - especially in fields like #cybersecurity where quick thinking and innovative solutions are essential.

Alongside the numerous challenges that being #neurodivergent brings like continually misplacing your personal possessions, remembering to take your meds and the mental gymnastics involved in #passing as normal (whatever that may mean) there are occasional little rays of sunshine that break through. One of the key benefits of being neurodiverse, particularly having ADHD, is seeing connections that others miss. This allows us to solve problems quicker and approach challenges with a fresh, intuitive perspective. When we use this strength for the #good of others, we don't just provide our organisations with a major competitive advantage - we show more of our authentic selves and help everyone we work with begin to appreciate difference (and hopefully grow a little more tolerant of it).

A recent example of this came from a simple conversation with a gentleman who came to my aid to help install my new cooker (a task I had taken on as a "five-minute job" that was proving to be more of a challenge than I had anticipated and I'm ashamed to admit saw the air in my kitchen turn a shade bluer than normal ). When he arrived it was clear form his demeanour he had already had a hectic day lugging around heavy appliances, working through difficult tasks, and interacting with customers who may or may not have made a pigs ear out of a job that, to him, seemed straightforward. He was clearly in need of a break, so I whacked on the kettle and invited him to join me for a quick cuppa before he cracked on again and as we chatted, he shared some of his frustrations with his current job. He felt stuck, lacking #passion and #direction. But as our conversation continued, he revealed a childhood interest for computing - that he’d never had the chance to fully explore. This gave me the perfect opportunity connect him with some of the fantastic resources I'd found useful over the years to help him explore cybersecurity, including TryHackMe , CAPSLOCK , the Open University Cyber Security MOOC, free training from SANS Institute , Cybrary and ISC2 . Instantly, I saw his mood shift from frustration to excitement. It was a powerful reminder of how a simple act of listening and offering the right tools can reignite someone’s passion and open up new possibilities.

This experience highlighted the importance of taking time to truly listen to others. A kind word costs nothing but can spark something profound. Whether through casual conversations or more intentional support, we can help people see the world from a different perspective, rediscover old passions, and try something new. Neurodiverse individuals, with their unique ability to make rapid connections and think creatively, often bring a #transformative mindset to fields like cybersecurity. These abilities, combined with a sense of fun and a genuine drive to do good, have the potential to supercharge any organisation.

The impact of these everyday #conversations isn't limited to just one person or one field. Just last week, I also had the pleasure of meeting two taxi drivers, each with their own fascinating story. The first driver had a deep passion for martial arts, and despite our very different outlooks on life, I learned a lot from his perspective. The second driver was working on a PhD focused on the fentanyl epidemic and the complexities of addiction. We had a long, meaningful conversation that opened my eyes to issues I hadn’t fully considered before. These #moments reminded me that #listening to others not only enriches our own lives but often gives others the encouragement they need to continue pursuing their goals.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to automate many of the more mundane tasks in life like managing bills, scheduling, sorting through emails - it gives us the freedom to focus on what truly matters. With these distractions out of the way, we can spend more time being present with others, learning, and helping solve real-world problems. This shift offers an incredible opportunity to rethink how we #contribute to society, allowing us to find more meaningful ways to engage with others, especially as #traditional jobs evolve.

As this #technological and #societal change continues apace, it’s now essential to begin creating environments and workplaces where everyone can play to their strengths, be their authentic selves and bring in their external skills/passions. Voluntary organisations like the The Conservation Volunteers , Samaritans , the Citizens Advice and the The Trussell Trust Food Bank offer platforms for individuals to give back, connecting them with causes that align with their natural abilities and in doing so then bring back new skills and greater compassion to their workplaces. Whether it’s using neurodiverse perspectives to improve cybersecurity, or simply taking time to listen and connect with others, everyone has something valuable to offer.

So, in the spirit of both ADHD Awareness and Cybersecurity Awareness Month, let’s really utilise the strengths neurodiverse individuals bring to the table and embrace the ways technology can help us build better, more connected communities. By staying true to who we are, using our unique skills to support others, and fostering meaningful connections, we can create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

As Carl Rogers once said, “What I am is good enough if I would only be it openly.” By taking the time to listen, connect, and share our strengths, we can make a lasting difference—not just in the lives of others, but in our own as well. Be kind to yourselves and others and have a fantastic week.