Leaders Don't Want to Be Victims

The Neurodiversity Coach Newsletter

Welcome to The Neurodiversity Coach Newsletter. As an Executive Coach, Leadership Trainer and self-professed geek, I've had the opportunity to work with neurodivergent leaders and coach them through many leadership and workplace challenges. Each week I share resources and insights for neurodivergent leaders and the rest of us.

In this week's newsletter we discuss how often neurodivergent leaders don't want to self-identify to avoid being seen as victims.

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Leaders Don’t Want to Be Victims

You may have noticed, some people live their lives as if something is always happening to them. They see problems around every corner and they are never responsible for the reality of their life.

This is the key word that separates leaders from others: responsibility.?

Leaders are responsible for their world. They see solutions and opportunities in the midst of their daily life.?

I think this is one of the reasons that neurodivergent leaders don’t want to self-identify. I’ve talked to and worked with many leaders with neurodivergent traits and they despise being put in a box and definitely don’t want to be seen as a victim. In my experience:?

• They don’t want to be treated differently than others.?
• They don’t want to be seen as individuals who need special treatment.?
• They tend to feel alone with their conditions—knowing it impacts their work or relationships but uncertain about what to do.?
• If they are already leaders, they don’t want to jeopardize their role or even potential future roles.?

This is why coaching can be so valuable for all leaders—sometimes they don’t even realize that some of their ways of thinking are simply inherent in their ADHD or other traits. When working with a coach, they can see themselves more fully in a place of no judgement.?

How about you? Do you avoid sharing your vulnerabilities because you don’t want to be seen as a victim?_____________________________________________________________

Past Articles: Neurodiverse Leadership Resource Library

Want more resources on neurodiversity leadership? We are finding and creating resources for you. Watch this section expand every week.

July 20: Are You Overcompensating?

July 13: Why We Need the Outdoors

July 6: It's Not a Bug, It's a Feature

June 29: EMOTIONAL BIDS: What Do We Do When Someone Reaches Out to Us Emotionally?

June 15: The Boxes We Put Ourselves In

June 8: Please Just Tell Me the Answer!

May 25: Dyslexia and Leadership

May 18: Autism and Leadership: Advantages and Challenges

May 11: ADHD and Leadership

May 4: Hi Elon, I'd Like to Be Your Executive Coach

Apr 27: Surprise! Your Motivators are NOT Their Motivators

Apr 14: Managing Up Success Story

Apr 6: The Power of Routine

Mar 30: The Nerd Ceiling and Digital Body Language

Mar 22: Neurodiversity Makes For Better Leaders (Sometimes)

Mar 16: He Only Cares About Himself

Mar 9: Neurodiverse Leaders and the Power of One on One Conversation

Mar 2: What if My Neurodiverse Boss Sucks with People?

Feb 23: Why Am I So Anxious?

Feb 16: The Trouble With Neurodiverse Leadership (Forbes Article)

Feb 9: Your Straight Talk is NOT Authentic Leadership

Feb 2: People are More Difficult than Algorithms

Jan 26: Nerds (and Geeks) are Leaders Too!

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Staying In Touch

What leadership challenges are you facing??I’d love to hear from you - feel free to set up a time to chat here:?Let's talk!

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