Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Why hiring neurodiverse people can benefit your business

There is strength in diversity, and having different perspectives can have a positive impact on business.

“Put simply, if you always look to recruit the same type of person – the person who thinks and does the same as you – you could be limiting your organisation’s productivity, creativity, and understanding of your customer base,” says Diane Lightfoot, CEO of?Business Disability Forum.

“People who are neurodiverse often view things in a different way. This means they can bring real insight, strengths, and a unique set of skills to your organisation.

“This may be through truly seeing the ‘bigger picture’ in a way that others haven’t before, or through having an eye for detail and an ability to spot trends.”

That’s why she urges businesses to make sure their recruitment process “actively welcomes” people who are neurodiverse.

It’s important to recognise neurodiversity is not one thing – there are plenty of different conditions within it, and people fall on different ends of the spectrum.

Looking at some of the better-known conditions, here’s how people with neurodiversity could be a boon for business.

Autism

“Autism is a spectrum, which means every autistic person is different, and every autistic person will have their own strengths and areas where they will need more support,” says Richmal Maybank, employer engagement and programme lead at the?National Autistic Society.

“Autistic people have a huge amount to offer employers, and more and more businesses are recognising the benefits of a diverse workforce and employing autistic people, particularly in terms of having a variety of skill sets and different ways of thinking.”

When autistic people are in the right role and are well supported, Maybank says their potential strengths can include a logical and methodical approach, the ability to focus intensely, being task oriented and persistent, good accuracy and attention to detail, and much more.

“Autistic people may have different thinking styles, which can lead to innovative ideas and creative approaches to problem solving,” he says.

“People who think differently can also identify inconsistencies and ambiguities in company policies or ways of working, which can then be clarified and adapted.

“Managers often tell us the adjustments and strategies they put in place to support autistic colleagues are beneficial to all employees, and can lead to a change in management practice.”

Dyslexia

For Benjamin Braun, CMO for?Samsung Europe, people tend to get a lot of things wrong about dyslexia in the workplace.

“I think people often see dyslexic colleagues as being at a disadvantage, perhaps because they perceive them to be less able. To be clear, there is no association between intelligence and neurodivergence,” says Braun, who is dyslexic.

“This misconception could stem from the idea that things like spelling and grammar equate to strong business performance. In modern businesses, we shouldn’t hold on to these old-school ways of measuring ability. Having a diverse workforce, including neurodivergent people, offers businesses a broader skillset to draw from.”

So, what can dyslexic people offer? “Everyone is different, but for example, I have dyslexic colleagues who are very observant, which makes them very skilled team players,” Braun says.

“I also have colleagues who are great at spotting patterns, they see trends in data that escape others. From a personal perspective, I’m an incredibly visual thinker – which is common for dyslexics – and I find this works to my advantage when it comes to problem-solving and creative thinking.”

ADHD

“Creativity and big thinking are common characteristics of people with ADHD, and both lend themselves to exceptional problem-solving,” says Becca Chambers, SVP of global brand and communications at?Alludo.

“As an executive with ADHD, I can look at a complex problem and quickly come up with unexpected solutions by looking at the big picture, and then being able to envision how the pieces come together.

“Another benefit: clear-headedness when it counts. When it comes to a crisis situation, there are no better people to call on than people with ADHD. I might not be able to get my laundry done in a reasonable amount of time, but if there’s an urgent, chaotic situation, I’m crystal clear and calm. Instead of panicking or making a hasty decision, I’m able to hyperfocus on the problem and come up with an out-of-the-box solution. That has definitely come up during high-stakes, stressful situations in my job and life, but I thrive in a crisis.”

Chambers also describes how people with ADHD can be “incredibly productive” when they’re “given the space to get into hyperfocus mode”.

She adds: “People with ADHD often tend to be deeply empathetic and are often sociable. Those two qualities stand out in the workplace, especially as we enter this new phase of work, in which emotional intelligence, empathy, and heart are critical differentiators and advantages, that aren’t currently able to be replicated by artificial intelligence. These are also important qualities for leaders.”

Tourette syndrome

“People with Tourette Syndrome (TS), like many others in the ND [neurodiverse] community, often bring unique strengths to team working; from quick and innovative thinking to a creative, compassionate and empathic viewpoint,” explains Emma McNally, chief executive officer of?Tourettes Action.

“We often find that those with TS – and indeed other ND conditions – approach problems from a different angle and very often come up with innovative solutions, thinking differently and challenging the norms, questioning why things are done in a certain way, and seeking to improve processes. Due to the neurodivergent mind being wired differently, many possess an amazing imagination, which often leads to such incredible creativity.”

For McNally, it’s crucial companies work out how to nurture employees “to increase both wellbeing and productivity for the individual and the organisation”.

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In other ESG news this week:

• The chairman of the Environment Agency has said the watchdog should not have the power to levy fines of ￡250 million.
• The UK risks dropping out of the “global green race” without urgent action and investment, a think tank has warned.?
• More than 50% of people in the UK think the country is better than or equal to others in protecting nature, despite evidence to the contrary.
• Tennis champion Martina Navratilova has said she is “proud” to be a patron of a new lesbian campaign group backed by controversial academic Kathleen Stock and SNP MP Joanna Cherry.?
• Nearly all of the UK’s top companies now have at least one ethnic minority director, more than doubling the amount without all-white boards in six years.?

Find out more about our ESG offering here:?https://go.pa.media/l/314511/2022-11-07/l91tq

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