Stop and Listen to IBM neurodivergents: The "Let's Listen" series 2022

In 2015, employees within IBM initiated a renewed diversity focus on Neurodiversity@IBM to support all neurological differences among current and future IBM employees.

This focus embraced both neurodivergent individuals and neurotypical allies - and at the same time initiated neurodivergent targeted hiring programs in eleven countries and enablement (acceptance) training in over 30 countries. Our motto is “Nothing About Us – Without Us” – which means neurodivergent individuals need to help guide the conversation and not only be spoken about by well-intentioned neurotypical allies.

So today, in 2022, it seemed appropriate for a neurotypical ally, like myself, to sit back and listen to some of the Neurodiversity@IBM employees in our purpose-built "Let's Listen" studio - in downtown Sydney, Australia.

These individuals were either new employees, experienced professionals or even IBM executives - coming from very different cultural backgrounds including Australia, Canada, the United States, and Mexico. And while their backgrounds, experiences, and languages differed - they all had one thing in common - they all had a powerful voice describing their own neurodivergent journey inside, and out, of IBM.

Readers Tip #1: I recommend you browse thru this list of engaging interviews (which have a duration of 10 to 18 minutes) and listen to one or two (or all of them) to understand their own unique challenges and what drives them ever onwards.

Readers Tip #2: Feel free to add your neurodivergent (or neurotypical) voice at the end of this article and share. I look forward to expanding this list of interviewees further in 2023.

1. Adam Cutler - IBM United States - Distinguished Designer

As a founding member of IBM Design and one of the first three Distinguished Designers at IBM, Adam Cutler was responsible for the design and build-out of the flagship IBM Design Studio in Austin, TX.?

"I was undiagnosed until I was 35, well into my IBM career and I didn't realize how much it helped me that my mind is constantly going in, like, 10 directions at once." ~ Adam Cutler

2. Brandon Pooler - IBM Australia - Senior Automation Consultant

In 2019, IBM Australia in Ballarat hired Brandon Pooler - someone whom I have found to be thoughtful and provocative while being a productive IT professional, and an active and vocal member of IBM's global neurodivergent community.

"...over the last couple of years, my tendency to become obsessively absorbed in whatever project I'm on has been a massive driver of success for me..." ~ Brandon Pooler

3. Dallas Brogden - IBM United States - System Support

Dallas B. , from Raleigh North Carolina - is passionate about Neurodiversity, and writes about the merits of seeking out Autistic and other Neurodiverse candidates in the workforce, educating companies on how to expand their company policies to foster inclusion and acceptance of Neurodiverse employees. As an Autistic speaker and advocate (and now an IBMer), Dallas is someone to listen to.

"There are two sides of me - there's autistic me, and there's an ADHD me, and ne'er the twain shall meet - usually." ~ Dallas Brogden

4. Joshua Maddison - IBM Australia - Solution Developer

Joshua Maddison joined IBM Australia, Sydney, in 2020 as a Solution Developer and has already had a significant impact on all who work with him - changing their perception of what it means to be neurodivergent. Beyond his day-to-day job, Joshua makes time to be engaged as part of the IBM neurodiversity community, drive ND@IBM initiatives, and write about the neurodiversity hiring process here.

"I think my neurodiversity has helped me become an ambassador for other people who might be in the same in the same boat as I was" ~ Joshua Maddison

5. Julio Cesar Arguijo Calatayud - IBM Mexico - DevSecOps Sys Admin

In Mexico, this year (2022), Julio Cesar Arguijo Calatayud was hired by IBM to become a Test Specialist. This unique IBM hiring program in Mexico, is supported by Specialisterne México and helped individuals like Julio - who is both Autistic and ADHD - to find a productive place, in which to further his career.

?"It might sound boring for most people because it's a repetitive task but just seeing myself getting better at them and making them faster or making less mistakes... it's rewarding for me and makes me want to keep doing more." ~ Julio

TAKE 1 - English version with Andrew Williams

TAKE 2 - Spanish version with Diana Sep

As a frequent neurodivergent collaborator and recent hire in IBM Australia, Diana Sepulveda Navarrete , reinterviewed Julio in Spanish, to reach a larger local audience.

6. Paul Gibbons - IBM United States - IBM Talent Transformation

Today, Paul Gibbons helps IBM's clients solve their leadership and culture challenges using behavioral science.?Previously, he was a strategy consultant at PwC, then ran change management on their biggest transformational programs. Paul founded Europe’s foremost leadership development consulting firm, Future Considerations, which is in its 21st year.? He is also an ADHDer.

"...and listening is a skill that's very difficult for ADHDers to learn - but it's essential... so work on yourself and find a greater level of acceptance." ~ Paul Gibbons

6. Rodrigo Oliva - IBM Mexico - Test Specialist

This year, while Rodrigo Oliva was struggling as a Baozi seller in the streets of Mexico City - he was also being interviewed and trained by IBM as part of a unique hiring program in Mexico, supported by Specialisterne México . Take a moment to listen to Rodrigo's unique story. He is now an IBMer and engaged.

"I kind of spot a small defect like an inverted number - because I tend to do that when I'm stressed. I tend to invert numbers and change 913 to 931. So it's easy for me to spot them..." ~ Rodrigo Oliva

TAKE 1 - English version with Andrew Williams

TAKE 2 - Spanish version with Diana Sep

As a frequent neurodivergent collaborator and recent hire in IBM Australia, Diana Sepulveda Navarrete , reinterviewed Rodrigo in Spanish, to reach a larger local audience.

7. Sam Castleman - IBM Australia - Senior Blockchain Developer

In 2018, as featured in this 7:30pm report, Samuel Castleman was one of our earliest neurodivergent inductees in Ballarat, Australia. Today, Sam is a Senior Blockchain Developer in IBM and he continues to flourish and progress in his career. I look forward listening to his next chapter.

"So I think one of the biggest challenges I face, is also one of my biggest strengths - which is perfectionism and seeing things differently"?~ Sam Castleman

8. Vincenzo Trombetta - IBM Canada - Account Technical Leead

Vincenzo Trombetta joined IBM Canada earlier in 2022 and is an Account Technical Lead. Vincenzo is a creative and tech-savvy executive with 15+ years of experience in data/business analytics, innovative business solutions development, project/ program management, business intelligence, technology consulting, and digital transformation.

Vincenzo also happens to be neurodivergent - with a very unique perspective on life.

"I had a presentation and I couldn't start talking.. and it felt bad, right? And then - no questions asked, they let me get out of the room. They value you as a person - not as what you what you bring to the table, right? Very humbling." ~ Vincenzo Trombetta

Our "Let's Listen" approach

Based on a continuing IBM program to embrace neurodivergent employees, Andrew Williams suggested a series of short informal sessions to raise neurodivergent visibility and by engaging volunteer IBM neurodivergent employees for these sessions. The purpose of each interview was to listen to neurodivergents within IBM and have the listener "walk" in their shoes - even it was only for a few minutes.

Apart from an informal set of questions/framework provided to the interviewees, all the responses are unrehearsed and unscripted.

It is important to note that this Let's Listen series is not a paid/marketing endeavor initiated by any HR department or leadership team within IBM. This is a program initiated and run by neurodivergent and allies within IBM in their own spare time.

To find out more about the Neurodiversity@IBM program visit the https://ibm.biz/LETSLISTEN site here.

What is neurodiversity?*

The idea that people whose brains work differently due to being Autistic, an ADHDer, dyslexic, dyspraxic, Tourettes and beyond, have equal human rights and should be treated as human beings. Typically applied to groups of people rather than individuals.

* 2022 Glossary of Neurodiversity Terms from the Neurodiversity@IBM Global BRG internal site.

Are you neurodivergent and looking for a job?

As we are a technology company, many of the roles are in IT such as Developers, Software Engineers, Data Scientists, Test Analysts, Cybersecurity Analysts, Project Managers, but we also have roles in Communications, Finance, Human Resources, Legal and Marketing, etc.

Search for?Open Jobs at IBM?and?Join Our Talent Network. All open roles are available for neurodivergent talent.

We offer:

• Apprenticeship for people with no degree or a 2 year degree
• Internships/Co-Ops for students enrolled full time in an accredited college/university
• Entry level for recent college graduates / people with 0-3 years experience
• Experienced professional for people with 4+ years experience
• Tech Reentry for people re-entering the workforce after being out of it for 1 year or more

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About the Author:?Andrew Williams?is a thought leader in the ND@IBM community and after 36 years in IBM as a consultant, leader, technician, and executive - still finds everything fascinating and loves to find new opportunities to connect with people.