Neurodiversity: The Next Frontier (Agile People Sweden)

Neurodiversity: The Next Frontier

NEURODIVERSITY: THE NEXT FRONTIERAgile People SwedenOctober 2016

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_Manager

1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kodomut/3667608102/


2



Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerDiversity is a SpectrumActive hatred & discrimination (*isms)Micro aggressionsIndifferenceActive inclusionTolerance


A micro-aggression is telling young boys that they are very smart, and telling young girls that they are very pretty.

- Faruk Ates @kurafire

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerISNT A Fully Inclusive ENVIRONMENT BETTER?PROTIP: Helps Everyone!

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerBUT WHAT DOES THAT INCLUSION MEAN IN TERMS OF MANAGING & LEADING PEOPLE?

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerAs much as 40% better

Much energy is spent if you have to hide your private life, or pretend to be something youre not


Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerNeurodiversityNeurodiversity is an approach to learning and disability that suggests that diverse neurological conditions appear as a result of normal variations of the human genome.

The neurodiversity movement frames autism, bipolarity and other neurotypes as a natural human variation rather than a pathology or disorder, and its advocates reject the idea that neurological differences need to be (or can be) cured, as they believe them to be authentic forms of human diversity, self expression, and beinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurodiversity


https://www.youtube.com/embed/6xUEg2WxGqQ

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerWE TALK ABOUT HIDDEN DISABILITIES

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerWHAT ABOUT HIDDEN ABILITIES?

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerWE JUST NEED A SHIFT IN PERSPECTIVE



Every PERSON is capable of virtuosity


Across industries, across countries, the best performing teams answer certain questions positively

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerPredictors of High PerformanceDo I know what is expected of me at work?Do I have the materials & equipment I need to do my work right?At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day?In the last 7 days, have I received recognition or praise for good work?Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person?Is there someone at work who cares about my development?At work, do my opinions seem to count?Does the mission/purpose of my company make me feel like my work is important? Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work?Do I have a best friend at work?In the last 6 months, have I talked with someone about my development?At work, have I had opportunities to learn and grow?


Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerGreat, now Im drowning in questions to ask myself all the time! Thanks Meri!!21

UNDERSTAND MOTIVATIONPurposeAutonomyMastery

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerPredictors of High Performance (remix)PURPOSEDoes the mission/purpose of my company make me feel like my work is important?

AUTONOMYDo I know what is expected of me at work?At work, do my opinions seem to count?

INCLUSION:In the last 7 days, have I received recognition or praise for good work?Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person?Do I have a best friend at work?

MASTERYDo I have the materials & equipment I need to do my work right?At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day?Is there someone at work who cares about my development?Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work?In the last 6 months, have I talked with someone about my development?At work, have I had opportunities to learn and grow?

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerDO I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT I DO BEST EVERY DAY?

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerWE NEED TO STOP LEVELLING PEOPLE OUT TO EQUAL consistent MEDIOCRITY

AND INSTEAD FOCUS ON GETTING THE MOST OUT OF DIFFERENCE

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerWE ARE NOT INTERCHANGEABLE RESOURCE UNITS

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerWE ARE COLOURS OR FLAVOURS

WE ARE BETTER IN COMPLEMENT, IN CONCERT WITH EACH OTHER


Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerWHAT IF WE THINK OF PEOPLE AND ROLES AS A MATTER OF CASTING?

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerHOW DO WE ASSEMBLE A GREAT TEAM WITH COMPLEMENTARY ABILITIES?


Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerFIRST, WE CREATE SPACE FOR THEM TO BE AWESOME


Every PERSON is capable of virtuosity

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerSPACE TO BE AWESOME = + PURPOSE (Do I believe in WHY?) + AUTONOMY (Do I get a say in WHAT?) + MASTERY(Am I proud of HOW?)+ INCLUSION(Do I BELONG HERE?)

- ANY NEGATIVE FACTORS THAT DETRACT

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerCraft Inclusive EnvironmentsAm I EXPECTED here?

Am I RESPECTED here?

Can I BE MYSELF and BE SUCCESSFUL here?

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerAm I EXPECTED?Be preparedEducate yourself & othersAdjust your recruitment & interview processCraft roles that embrace some of those hidden abilitiesLook for the missing skill that might bring unique valueEnable pairing / team-ups


Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerAm I EXPECTED?Think about environmentsUnderstand how many office environments are particularly difficult for folks with different abilitiesEnable respite

(we provide prayer rooms; how different is this?)

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerAm I RESPECTED?Are my superpowers valuable here?Do I get to focus on the things I am brilliant at?Do people understand and respect difference?Do we value diversity, rather than just tolerate it?

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerAm I RESPECTED?Educate the teamInvest in people understanding better and not dismissing differenceFind ways to appreciate all kinds of contributions

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerCan I BE MYSELF and BE SUCCESSFUL?Does this culture reward people like me?Do I have to change who I am to succeed here?How much energy do I have to spend pretending?Does my manager care about me? Will they adapt when they can?

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerENERGY SPENT HIDING IS WASTED

ENERGY INVESTED IN FINDING MIDDLE GROUND LESS SO

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerSome Adjustments I Made As a Manager of Aspies (YMMV)Side-by-side 1:1s (for folks who struggle with eye contact)Offering to give feedback by text / email / Slack to allow extra processing timeSplit 1:1s (talk break ... talk)Acting as a translation layer

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerIN GENERAL, CHALLENGE THE MERE EXISTENCE OF NORMAL

DONT ACCEPT A DEFAULT

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerWHEN WE SAY THIS IS NORMAL we are automatically OTHERING


Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerEMBRACE HIDDEN ABILITIES

CRAFT INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerCraft Inclusive EnvironmentsAm I EXPECTED here?

Am I RESPECTED here?

Can I BE MYSELF and BE SUCCESSFUL here?

Meri Williams, ChromeRose @Geek_ManagerGO! SHAPE/MAKE SPACE BE AWESOMEBE INCLUSIVE And thank you for participating

Need help? [email protected]




Leadership & Management

Neurodiversity: The Next Frontier (Agile People Sweden)