In episode 135, Coffey talks with David Aspinall about embracing neurodiversity in the workplace.

They discuss how auticon is a demonstration that neurodiverse individuals bring unique value propositions to employers; underemployment in the neurodivergent workforce; how employers can prepare their team to engage with neurodiverse peers; the benefits of having a diverse organization in terms of work culture; the challenges neurodiverse applicants might face during the recruiting process; and whether employers should have different expectations around communication, conduct, and performance when hiring neurodivergent talent.

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About our Guest:

David has served as CEO of auticon US since 2020. He is responsible for overseeing the further market development of auticon in the U.S. to create more job opportunities for autistic professionals in the technology space. Prior to joining auticon, David was an executive in a Fortune 10 brand at AT&T, where he spent nearly 12 years, including time leading the telecommunication giant’s Canadian operations. He also served as Regional President, South for Sprint in Texas. More recently, David worked as an operating executive with various private equity firms specializing in scaling businesses and revenue growth.

David holds an MBA from Texas Christian University M.J. Neeley School of Business and a BA with Honors from The University of Sheffield. He is the 2022-23 Member Engagement Officer for YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), a global organization of 30,000 members across 142 countries.

David Aspinall can be reached at:

https://www.auticon.us 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/diaspinall

About Mike Coffey:

Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, human resources professional, licensed private investigator, and HR consultant.

In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations firm helping risk-averse companies make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.

Today, Imperative serves hundreds of businesses across the US and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies.

Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence and has twice been named HR Professional of the Year.

Additionally, Imperative has been named the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.

Mike is a member of the Fort Worth chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and volunteers with the SHRM Texas State Council.

Mike maintains his certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute. He is also a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Mike lives in Fort Worth with his very patient wife. He practices yoga and maintains a keto diet, about both of which he will gladly tell you way more than you want to know.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize the value of neurodiverse individuals as talent resources.

2. Identify strategies to foster inclusion and support neurodiverse employees.

3. Explore the benefits and challenges of integrating neurodiverse talent into organizations.