Have you ever felt like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole?

I'm Lars-Erik, and I want to share my journey of working with Thorkil Sonne through the Dela programme — a systems change accelerator programme co-created by IKEA Social Entrepreneurship and Ashoka. Thorkil, a trailblazer in advocating for the inclusion of neurodistinct individuals, opened my eyes to the power of embracing neurodiversity.

The purpose of the Dela is to identify and foster the success of social entrepreneurs and support them to scale their impact so that we can create more positive transformations in the world. Together with other thought leaders from various organizations, I was paired with Thorkil who has been working for over 20 years to increase the inclusion of autistic/neurodistinct persons in workplaces and communities across the globe.

Through Dela, we’re working to develop his concept further, with the ambition to transform organizations and societies to become even more inclusive through neurodiversity in minds and systems, allowing everyone to thrive regardless of how their brains are wired.?

Bear in mind that 20% of the population is neurodistinct and may often feel like square pegs not fitting into the round holes of our systems which are often not designed inclusively. Many may have a profile like autism, ADHD or dyslexia. How are they represented in the workplace? How many of our coworkers have neurodistinct family members or friends that they support, in lack of support from the systems around us?

Why does this matter?

Because I really believe that inclusion isn't just a buzzword—it's the cornerstone of a resilient and innovative society and one of the most important things to strive for. When we exclude any group of people, we breed inequality and polarization. But when we embrace diversity, we foster higher levels of wellbeing and drive innovation. In short, good business is good for business!

But achieving true inclusion requires more than lip service. Developing an inclusive mindset and behavior is a key capability for anyone who wants to create a better world, where people can thrive and be who they truly are. I’m also convinced that we need to take a systems-change approach and work on several levels at the same time. I realized this in the Dela programme, and through developing the Fair & Square concept to promote neurodiversity in minds and systems at the individual level as well as the organizational level and in society.?

Through the systems change programme, we learned to work with mental models and system thinking that really shows the way to make a breakthrough and achieve long lasting effects.??

What are the stories we tell ourselves that circle around in our head on repeat??

The reality is that we’re all biased. Our actions are based on our mental models which trigger us to act intuitively, which often leads to unconscious biases that can be counterproductive towards people who are not like us. Negative mental models are often the underlying root causes for lack of diversity and inclusion for any minority group. Therefore, we must influence mental models through continuous storytelling.

My perspective?shifted when I had the opportunity to spend time with Thorkil's family, including his neurodistinct son, when he invited our Dela working group to his home for dinner. Interacting with Thorkil's son, I initially felt unsure and out of my comfort zone. Yet, as the evening unfolded, I realized that authenticity transcends communication barriers. It was a lesson in empathy and understanding that left a lasting impression on me.

I think we’ve all been in situations where we try to mask some parts of ourselves and try to fit in. We all know how draining and time-consuming this is and how small it makes us feel. What if we had the opportunity to truly be ourselves and gave permission for others to be themselves as well? The reality is that a large part of any workforce is spending resources on masking or supporting neurodistinct people who struggle to fit in.?

Through my discussions and experiences with Thorkil, I've come to understand that inclusivity and diversity isn't just about ticking boxes or meeting quotas—it's about creating spaces where everyone feels valued and respected for who they are. It's about dismantling the barriers that prevent individuals from fully participating in society and unleashing their true potential.

Let’s be honest! If diversity and inclusion were so easy, we wouldn’t have to fight so much to reach it within society, organizations, and our own behavior. We need to see this as an investment that needs a good dose of patience. We must be prepared to learn from being uncomfortable and feeling a bit lost, not having all the answers.?

So, what's the takeaway? It's time to move beyond talking and take meaningful action. We don't need more studies to tell us that inclusion matters—we need the courage to challenge the status quo and build a world where everyone belongs.

?Join me in embracing inclusivity, not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to create positive change. Together, we can build a future where diversity is celebrated, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

?#IKEASocialEntrepreneurship @ashoka #IKEA #inclusiveoffer #equity #accessibility #DEI #diversity&inclusion #ashoka #ashokafellow Thorkil Sonne Fanny Sellin Tina Molund

Dela programme: https://www.ashoka.org/en-nrd/program/dela-programme