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008: Social Purpose – Employ for Ability With David Smith
Today, more than ever before, employers are recognising the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. However, there's still work to be done when it comes to hiring employees with disabilities. Why is this the case? And what can we do to change it?
In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with David Smith, a former Royal Australian Navy Maritime Warfare Officer and now the Managing Director of Employ for Ability Pty Ltd a neurodiversity employment specialist. David shares personal stories of leadership from his early times in the Navy, and how he transitioned to a consulting career.
David has always been passionate about neurodiversity, especially in the workplace. In fact, he has made it his mission to raise awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and to help others with disabilities find meaningful employment.
In our conversation, David reminded me of what is important in life and the impact social purpose can have on our community. He also discussed the unique challenges that people with disabilities face when searching for employment and some of the common misconceptions about hiring employees with disabilities.
If you want to learn more about David and his work, or if you're looking for advice on how to make your workplace more inclusive, be sure to listen to this episode!
WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:
Quotes
“Everybody has different periods of mental anguish in their careers and learning as a manager, how to work with that, and support people are really important.” -David Smith
“Autism is not a disability. It's a different ability.” -David Smith
“It's more important that you're bringing the team together and pointing them in the right direction than being the subject matter expert or the cleverest person in the room.” -David Smith
RESOURCES MENTIONED
WHERE TO FIND DAVID SMITH
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!
ABOUT DAVID SMITHDavid Smith joined the Royal Australian Navy inspired by the Australian television drama Patrol Boat in the 80s. His career saw him qualify as a Maritime Warfare Officer serving in frigates, patrol boats and landing craft.
After ten years, a decision to leave full-time service led to a consulting career in leadership roles in professional services and the recruitment sector. David is a natural in-house entrepreneur and applied those skills to support the growth of several highly successful IT recruitment businesses.
While attending the Oxford University Advanced Management and Leadership Program, an opportune exploration of social purpose and solving wicked problems led David to study further and a research paper on neurodiversity in employment. It was a light bulb moment when he clarified his purpose to become a neurodiversity specialist.
In 2019, together with his wife Anne, they founded Employ for Ability to show organisations that people with an ASD diagnosis and other neurodiverse conditions are not disabled but different (as all people are different) and can provide organisations with a competitive advantage.
David’s work has assisted government and private sector clients employing over 150 neurodiverse people and helped those people gain employment where others have tried and not achieved results.
In 2019 David was awarded an Outstanding Alumnus Award from Oxford University for his work on Neurodiversity employment.
In 2022, Employ for Ability is the ACT Winner in the Telstra Best of Business awards under building communities.
David has completed post-graduate qualifications in Autism, Organisational Development, Training and Development and has an undergrad degree in Science from UNSW ADFA. David completed the Oxford University Advanced Management and Leadership Program in 2016.
In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with David Smith, a former Royal Australian Navy Maritime Warfare Officer and now the Managing Director of Employ for Ability Pty Ltd a neurodiversity employment specialist. David shares personal stories of leadership from his early times in the Navy, and how he transitioned to a consulting career.
David has always been passionate about neurodiversity, especially in the workplace. In fact, he has made it his mission to raise awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and to help others with disabilities find meaningful employment.
In our conversation, David reminded me of what is important in life and the impact social purpose can have on our community. He also discussed the unique challenges that people with disabilities face when searching for employment and some of the common misconceptions about hiring employees with disabilities.
If you want to learn more about David and his work, or if you're looking for advice on how to make your workplace more inclusive, be sure to listen to this episode!
WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:
- David’s story of joining the Royal Australian Navy (01:09)
- Leadership influences in David’s life (03:12)
- David’s experiences going aground in a Destroyer (05:16)
- The highlights of David’s Navy career (09:23)
- Leadership lessons David learned from the Navy (13:01)
- David’s transition to the corporate career (17:57)
- What does it take to change career direction? (22:44)
- How to become partners in life and in business? (25:24)
- Neurodiversity in the workplace (31:04)
- How to make recruitment more effective (36:28)
- David’s advice to leaders today (38:26)
- Rapid-fire questions with David Smith (42:59)
Quotes
“Everybody has different periods of mental anguish in their careers and learning as a manager, how to work with that, and support people are really important.” -David Smith
“Autism is not a disability. It's a different ability.” -David Smith
“It's more important that you're bringing the team together and pointing them in the right direction than being the subject matter expert or the cleverest person in the room.” -David Smith
RESOURCES MENTIONED
- Sylvan Learning Systems
- NASDAQ
- Good to Great by Jim Collins
- Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Program
WHERE TO FIND DAVID SMITH
- Connect with David on LinkedIn.
- Visit Employ For Ability here.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!
ABOUT DAVID SMITHDavid Smith joined the Royal Australian Navy inspired by the Australian television drama Patrol Boat in the 80s. His career saw him qualify as a Maritime Warfare Officer serving in frigates, patrol boats and landing craft.
After ten years, a decision to leave full-time service led to a consulting career in leadership roles in professional services and the recruitment sector. David is a natural in-house entrepreneur and applied those skills to support the growth of several highly successful IT recruitment businesses.
While attending the Oxford University Advanced Management and Leadership Program, an opportune exploration of social purpose and solving wicked problems led David to study further and a research paper on neurodiversity in employment. It was a light bulb moment when he clarified his purpose to become a neurodiversity specialist.
In 2019, together with his wife Anne, they founded Employ for Ability to show organisations that people with an ASD diagnosis and other neurodiverse conditions are not disabled but different (as all people are different) and can provide organisations with a competitive advantage.
David’s work has assisted government and private sector clients employing over 150 neurodiverse people and helped those people gain employment where others have tried and not achieved results.
In 2019 David was awarded an Outstanding Alumnus Award from Oxford University for his work on Neurodiversity employment.
In 2022, Employ for Ability is the ACT Winner in the Telstra Best of Business awards under building communities.
David has completed post-graduate qualifications in Autism, Organisational Development, Training and Development and has an undergrad degree in Science from UNSW ADFA. David completed the Oxford University Advanced Management and Leadership Program in 2016.
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By Martin BrookerToday, more than ever before, employers are recognising the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. However, there's still work to be done when it comes to hiring employees with disabilities. Why is this the case? And what can we do to change it?
In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with David Smith, a former Royal Australian Navy Maritime Warfare Officer and now the Managing Director of Employ for Ability Pty Ltd a neurodiversity employment specialist. David shares personal stories of leadership from his early times in the Navy, and how he transitioned to a consulting career.
David has always been passionate about neurodiversity, especially in the workplace. In fact, he has made it his mission to raise awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and to help others with disabilities find meaningful employment.
In our conversation, David reminded me of what is important in life and the impact social purpose can have on our community. He also discussed the unique challenges that people with disabilities face when searching for employment and some of the common misconceptions about hiring employees with disabilities.
If you want to learn more about David and his work, or if you're looking for advice on how to make your workplace more inclusive, be sure to listen to this episode!
WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:
Quotes
“Everybody has different periods of mental anguish in their careers and learning as a manager, how to work with that, and support people are really important.” -David Smith
“Autism is not a disability. It's a different ability.” -David Smith
“It's more important that you're bringing the team together and pointing them in the right direction than being the subject matter expert or the cleverest person in the room.” -David Smith
RESOURCES MENTIONED
WHERE TO FIND DAVID SMITH
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!
ABOUT DAVID SMITHDavid Smith joined the Royal Australian Navy inspired by the Australian television drama Patrol Boat in the 80s. His career saw him qualify as a Maritime Warfare Officer serving in frigates, patrol boats and landing craft.
After ten years, a decision to leave full-time service led to a consulting career in leadership roles in professional services and the recruitment sector. David is a natural in-house entrepreneur and applied those skills to support the growth of several highly successful IT recruitment businesses.
While attending the Oxford University Advanced Management and Leadership Program, an opportune exploration of social purpose and solving wicked problems led David to study further and a research paper on neurodiversity in employment. It was a light bulb moment when he clarified his purpose to become a neurodiversity specialist.
In 2019, together with his wife Anne, they founded Employ for Ability to show organisations that people with an ASD diagnosis and other neurodiverse conditions are not disabled but different (as all people are different) and can provide organisations with a competitive advantage.
David’s work has assisted government and private sector clients employing over 150 neurodiverse people and helped those people gain employment where others have tried and not achieved results.
In 2019 David was awarded an Outstanding Alumnus Award from Oxford University for his work on Neurodiversity employment.
In 2022, Employ for Ability is the ACT Winner in the Telstra Best of Business awards under building communities.
David has completed post-graduate qualifications in Autism, Organisational Development, Training and Development and has an undergrad degree in Science from UNSW ADFA. David completed the Oxford University Advanced Management and Leadership Program in 2016.
In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with David Smith, a former Royal Australian Navy Maritime Warfare Officer and now the Managing Director of Employ for Ability Pty Ltd a neurodiversity employment specialist. David shares personal stories of leadership from his early times in the Navy, and how he transitioned to a consulting career.
David has always been passionate about neurodiversity, especially in the workplace. In fact, he has made it his mission to raise awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and to help others with disabilities find meaningful employment.
In our conversation, David reminded me of what is important in life and the impact social purpose can have on our community. He also discussed the unique challenges that people with disabilities face when searching for employment and some of the common misconceptions about hiring employees with disabilities.
If you want to learn more about David and his work, or if you're looking for advice on how to make your workplace more inclusive, be sure to listen to this episode!
WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:
- David’s story of joining the Royal Australian Navy (01:09)
- Leadership influences in David’s life (03:12)
- David’s experiences going aground in a Destroyer (05:16)
- The highlights of David’s Navy career (09:23)
- Leadership lessons David learned from the Navy (13:01)
- David’s transition to the corporate career (17:57)
- What does it take to change career direction? (22:44)
- How to become partners in life and in business? (25:24)
- Neurodiversity in the workplace (31:04)
- How to make recruitment more effective (36:28)
- David’s advice to leaders today (38:26)
- Rapid-fire questions with David Smith (42:59)
Quotes
“Everybody has different periods of mental anguish in their careers and learning as a manager, how to work with that, and support people are really important.” -David Smith
“Autism is not a disability. It's a different ability.” -David Smith
“It's more important that you're bringing the team together and pointing them in the right direction than being the subject matter expert or the cleverest person in the room.” -David Smith
RESOURCES MENTIONED
- Sylvan Learning Systems
- NASDAQ
- Good to Great by Jim Collins
- Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Program
WHERE TO FIND DAVID SMITH
- Connect with David on LinkedIn.
- Visit Employ For Ability here.
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW THE FRONTLINE TO BOARDROOM PODCAST Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Frontline To Boardroom podcast. If the information in any of our conversations and interviews has helped you in your business journey, please head over to Apple Podcasts, click the 3 dots in the top right corner of your smartphone screen, follow the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver valuable content but will also help us reach even more amazing entrepreneurs just like you!
ABOUT DAVID SMITHDavid Smith joined the Royal Australian Navy inspired by the Australian television drama Patrol Boat in the 80s. His career saw him qualify as a Maritime Warfare Officer serving in frigates, patrol boats and landing craft.
After ten years, a decision to leave full-time service led to a consulting career in leadership roles in professional services and the recruitment sector. David is a natural in-house entrepreneur and applied those skills to support the growth of several highly successful IT recruitment businesses.
While attending the Oxford University Advanced Management and Leadership Program, an opportune exploration of social purpose and solving wicked problems led David to study further and a research paper on neurodiversity in employment. It was a light bulb moment when he clarified his purpose to become a neurodiversity specialist.
In 2019, together with his wife Anne, they founded Employ for Ability to show organisations that people with an ASD diagnosis and other neurodiverse conditions are not disabled but different (as all people are different) and can provide organisations with a competitive advantage.
David’s work has assisted government and private sector clients employing over 150 neurodiverse people and helped those people gain employment where others have tried and not achieved results.
In 2019 David was awarded an Outstanding Alumnus Award from Oxford University for his work on Neurodiversity employment.
In 2022, Employ for Ability is the ACT Winner in the Telstra Best of Business awards under building communities.
David has completed post-graduate qualifications in Autism, Organisational Development, Training and Development and has an undergrad degree in Science from UNSW ADFA. David completed the Oxford University Advanced Management and Leadership Program in 2016.