Leading with Neurodiversity

“Over two decades ago, in a sea of tailored suits and polished presentations (with no misspellings), I found my place at the leadership table, feeling very much the outsider. I was a young techy geek, dressed very casually, and the one with dyslexia and ADHD, feeling the weight of difference with every hesitant word and sidelong glance.

In that discomfort, I discovered something powerful: My way of thinking, being strategic, decisive, results-driven, and unafraid of failure, wasn’t a weakness. It was a leadership advantage.

By embracing my neurodiversity, I channelled my energy into spearheading transformational change within technology firms, both large and small, achieving multiple exits. It is estimated that 20% of the population is neurodiverse, and multiple surveys suggest up to 50% of people in tech companies are neurodiverse. I couldn’t find much support as a tech leader, so I write about it here, and run training courses to help others.

I want to help neurodiverse managers be seen as executive leaders and get promoted without suffering emotional drain.

Create space. Be surprised.”

Dave Martin