Leveraging Neurodiversity in Organizations: A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats.

Abstract

As society struggles to atone for transgressions related to slavery and employs strategies to dismantle structural inequities and systemic racism, it is not surprising that efforts may inadvertently focus on the most visible diversity variables, such as race, gender, and ethnicity. However, the full spectrum of human differences must be considered in society’s aspiration to create a space where everyone can experience belonging, thrive, and achieve their full potential. In my work as a consultant, working with organizations to leverage the total capacity of exceptional talents found in diverse teams, neurodiversity is often left out of the conversation, despite data suggesting that 15% to 20% of society is neurodivergent.1,2