Coaching for Leaders

694: The Neurodiversity Edge in Organizations, with Maureen Dunne


Listen Later

Maureen Dunne: The Neurodiversity Edge

Maureen Dunne is a cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, global keynote speaker, board director, and business leader with over two decades of experience helping organizations build thriving cultures. She has served as a Senior Advisor to some of the world’s top organization, including the LEGO Foundation, Cornell University, and Members of Congress. She is the author of The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization*.

We often don’t notice our deeply held biases — and there’s certainly bias against neurodiversity. In this conversation, Maureen and I discuss the research, mindsets, and contributions relevant to neurodiversity. Plus, how neurodiversity can provide an edge for almost every organization.

Key Points
  • We often don’t see our deeply held biases. As one example, we assume that north is “up” on maps and globes, even though that’s only a construct.
  • Research and estimates vary, but at least 20% of the population is neurodivergent.
  • Divergent bees in hives find new sources of honey. Instead of viewing neurodivergence from a deficit-based perspective, use a strengths-based approach.
  • Intellectual capability is entirely independent of having a neurodivergent profile.
  • Rather than maintaining accommodations for “quirky people,” move towards a norm of universal accommodations that benefit the entire employee population.
  • Resources Mentioned
    • The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization* by Maureen Dunne
    • Interview Notes

      Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required).

      Related Episodes
      • How to Begin Difficult Conversations About Race, with Kwame Christian (episode 594)
      • Supporting Return to Work After Maternity Leave, with Danna Greenberg (episode 639)
      • How to Be a Better Ally, with Lauren Wesley Wilson (episode 675)
      • Discover More

        Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        Coaching for LeadersBy Dave Stachowiak

        • 4.8
        • 4.8
        • 4.8
        • 4.8
        • 4.8

        4.8

        1,393 ratings


        More shows like Coaching for Leaders

        View all
        The Look & Sound of Leadership by Essential Communications - Tom Henschel

        The Look & Sound of Leadership

        1,167 Listeners

        The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk by Ryan Hawk

        The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk

        1,336 Listeners

        Teaching in Higher Ed by Bonni Stachowiak

        Teaching in Higher Ed

        372 Listeners

        HBR IdeaCast by Harvard Business Review

        HBR IdeaCast

        154 Listeners

        Negotiate Anything by Kwame Christian Esq., M.A.

        Negotiate Anything

        718 Listeners

        How to Be Awesome at Your Job by How to be Awesome at Your Job

        How to Be Awesome at Your Job

        1,036 Listeners

        Worklife with Molly Graham by TED

        Worklife with Molly Graham

        9,167 Listeners

        Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style by Laura Camacho

        Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

        97 Listeners

        Maxwell Leadership Executive Podcast by John Maxwell

        Maxwell Leadership Executive Podcast

        384 Listeners

        Inside the Strategy Room by McKinsey & Company

        Inside the Strategy Room

        176 Listeners

        No Bullsh!t Leadership by Martin G Moore

        No Bullsh!t Leadership

        131 Listeners

        The Anxious Achiever by Morra Aarons-Mele

        The Anxious Achiever

        573 Listeners

        Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques by Matt Abrahams, Think Fast Talk Smart

        Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

        828 Listeners

        A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

        A Bit of Optimism

        2,230 Listeners

        Coaching Real Leaders by Muriel Wilkins

        Coaching Real Leaders

        678 Listeners

        HBR On Leadership by Harvard Business Review

        HBR On Leadership

        170 Listeners