Neurodiversity Makes For Better Leaders (sometimes)

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 neurodiverse leaders and coach them through leadership and workplace challenges. Each week I share resources and insights for neurodiverse leaders.?

In this issue we address the key traits that sometimes help make neurodiverse leaders more successful than their neurotypical counterparts.?

________________________________________________________________

Neurodiversity Makes?For?Better Leaders (sometimes)

In my role as an executive coach, I get to be on the front lines of leadership challenges. I work with leaders from all over the world with all sorts of styles and each person is unique.

One of the groups of people I am most fascinated with are neurodiverse leaders.?I did some research and I was able to find examples of 10 billionaires who are neurodiverse.

1.?Elon Musk - CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome.

2.?Richard Branson - Founder of the Virgin Group, has dyslexia.

3.?Ingvar Kamprad - Founder of IKEA, has dyslexia.

4.?Paul Orfalea - Founder of Kinko's, has dyslexia and ADHD.

5.?David?Neeleman?- Founder of JetBlue Airways, has ADHD.

6.?Craig McCaw - Entrepreneur and telecommunications pioneer, has dyslexia.

7.?Charles Schwab - Founder of the Charles Schwab Corporation, has dyslexia.

8.?John Chambers - Former CEO of Cisco Systems, has dyslexia.

9.?Barbara Corcoran - Real estate mogul and TV personality, has dyslexia.

10.?Henry Ford - Founder of Ford Motor Company, is believed to have had ADHD and dyslexia.

It got me thinking not about the challenges of being neurodiverse but the advantages. In my research, I discovered some key traits that sometimes help make neurodiverse leaders more successful than their neurotypical counterparts.?

Here are a few possible factors that could contribute to success for individuals with ASD (Asperger’s Spectrum Disorder), ADHD, and Dyslexia which are the three most common Neurodiverse diagnoses.

• Hyper-focus and Attention to Detail:?Some individuals with ASD may have the ability to hyper-focus on specific tasks or interests. This can lead to a deep understanding of a particular topic or field, which can be valuable in certain industries or professions. While ADHD can make it difficult to focus on tasks that are not stimulating or interesting, it can also lead to hyper-focus on tasks that are engaging. This can allow individuals with ADHD to become highly productive and excel in tasks they are passionate about.
• Innovative and Big Picture Thinking:?Individuals with ASD may have a unique way of thinking and processing information that can lead to creative and innovative ideas. This can be an asset in industries that require constant innovation and problem-solving. Dyslexia can lead to difficulty with reading and spelling, but it?can also result in a talent for thinking about the big picture. Individuals with dyslexia may have strong reasoning and problem-solving skills and can see the connections between seemingly disparate ideas. Individuals with ADHD often have strong problem-solving skills and?are able to?come up with creative solutions to complex problems.
• Honesty and Integrity:?Some individuals with ASD may have a strong sense of honesty and integrity, which can make them trustworthy and reliable in professional settings.
• Perseverance and Resilience:?Individuals with ASD and dyslexia may exhibit a high degree of perseverance in pursuing their goals and interests. This can be an asset in professions that require a lot of hard work and dedication.
• Creativity:?Many individuals with ADHD and dyslexia have a high level of creativity and?are able to?generate new ideas and perspectives. This can be beneficial in a variety of fields, such as art, music, and writing.
• Risk-taking:?Individuals with ADHD often have a high tolerance for risk and are willing to take chances that others may avoid. This can be beneficial in entrepreneurial ventures or other industries where risk-taking is important.
• Energy and enthusiasm:?Individuals with ADHD often have a high level of energy and enthusiasm, which can be contagious and inspire others around them.
• Strong interpersonal skills:?Some individuals with dyslexia have strong interpersonal skills and can easily connect with others. They may be empathetic and able to read body language and nonverbal cues.
• Spatial Reasoning:?Dyslexia can also be associated with strengths in visual-spatial reasoning. Individuals with dyslexia may be skilled at visualizing concepts and ideas in three dimensions.

All of this comes as great news. We all have things that we struggle with and things that we are good at. One of the key aspects of neurodiverse populations is that sometimes they struggle with EQ-type traits.?

In my experience with leaders, everyone has some areas to focus on, and some leaders succeed?in spite of?the areas they are weaker in… while some leaders spend the time and effort to practice new ways of being—and thus improving their EQ.?

What area are you attempting to grow in lately??

??_____________________________________________________

Neurodiverse Leadership Resource Library

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

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

Feb 2: People are More Difficult than Algorithms

Feb 9: Your Straight Talk is NOT Authentic Leadership

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

Feb 23: Why Am I So Anxious?

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

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

Mar 16: He Only Cares About Himself

_______________________________________________________

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!

Make sure you never miss an issue! Click the "subscribe" button in the upper right-hand corner of the page. For more articles and insights,?connect with me here.