Understanding Yourself: The Overlooked Workplace Skill

Understanding oneself has emerged as an essential skill in the 21st Century workplace, playing a vital role in fostering both personal and professional growth. Yet, much to the frustration of HR representatives I meet with who desperately wish it was, this isn't a skill which is often taught in school.

On September 12th, my colleagues Ranga Jayaraman , Khushboo Chabria , and I begin teaching a new online cohort of neurodivergent students as part of the Career Readiness Training program at Neurodiversity Pathways . It's meant to assist neurodivergent individuals looking for work in how to understand the landscape of our modern workplace, to help them bolster their professional skills, and to enable them discover how to navigate the hiring process like a pro (If you're interested in joining us as a student, we have several upcoming information sessions here).

In our cohort, we teach a wide range of approaches and skills needed to succeed in the the modern workplace. However, all of the things we teach are predicated on just one thing - understanding yourself.

Even if you're not neurodivergent, understanding yourself is a key to career success. That's true whether you are just starting out in work, or are already decades in.

Let's delve into why this is important for everyone and also how its particularly significant for neurodivergent individuals.

For Everyone in the Workplace

1. Self-awareness Leads to Success: Understanding your own strengths, weaknesses, and preferences helps you choose tasks and roles that suit you. It's like finding the right tool for the job; everything becomes more efficient and effective.
2. Improved Communication: Knowing your own communication style, whether direct or more nuanced, helps you interact with colleagues and clients. It builds better relationships and fosters collaboration.
3. Continuous Growth: Regular self-reflection and feedback help in setting and achieving goals that align with your unique attributes. This personalized approach keeps you moving forward in your career, in a direction that resonates with who you are.

For Neurodivergent Individuals: A Path to Empowerment

1. Harnessing Unique Abilities: Neurodivergent people often have distinct ways of thinking and processing information. Understanding and embracing these differences can lead to innovative problem-solving and unique perspectives, turning perceived challenges into advantages.
2. Creating a Comfortable Environment: Being aware of one's specific needs and preferences allows neurodivergent individuals to create or seek a work environment where they can thrive. This could include preferred communication methods, workspace setup, or the right balance of teamwork and independent work.
3. Advocacy and Support: Understanding oneself enables better self-advocacy. It helps in expressing one's needs and preferences and seeking the necessary support or accommodations. It's about speaking up and making the workplace work for you.

The 21st Century workplace is increasingly complex, requiring a diverse set of skills and competencies. Understanding oneself is not just a personal development tool but a critical professional skill that informs strategies for success. By embracing self-awareness, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and thriving workplace for everyone, including neurodivergent individuals and other underrepresented groups, accentuating the positive aspects of our differences and using them as a strength.

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John Marble is the founder of?Pivot Neurodiversity?and is a training partner and classroom instructor with?Neurodiversity Pathways.?

He is autistic.