About Nicole Sanoski: Nicole Sanoski is a chronic illness advocate and a seasoned IT leader with over 20 years of experience in the public sector, certified in PMP since 2008. Known for her agility and grace under pressure, Nicole excels in assessing project risks, reviving stalled initiatives, and mentoring team members. Her ability to connect with diverse professionals—from programmers to C-suite executives—has led to enhanced productivity and talent retention. With expertise managing projects ranging from $500k to $12M, she has worked across multiple industries, agencies, and consulting firms. Nicole skillfully navigates California's complex project approval and procurement processes, ensuring seamless progression while offering innovative solutions.

In this episode Lisa and Nicole discuss:

• Journey of self-education on disability rights and workplace accommodations
• Challenges of speaking up under the Americans with Disabilities Act and advocating for oneself
• Strategies for energy budgeting and pacing to maintain sustainable work
• Utilizing technology tools to streamline tasks and overcome obstacles
• Gamifying data analytics to boost teamwork, efficiency, and morale

Key Takeaways: 

• Self-education on disability rights and workplace accommodations is essential for chronic illness patients to advocate for their needs and maintain sustainable work amidst limitations.
• Strategic disability disclosure during the hiring process is key; advocating for accommodations without oversharing medical details helps avoid potential biases.
• Utilizing technology and streamlining tasks enables individuals with chronic illness to work smarter, fostering efficiency and problem-solving while overcoming obstacles.
• Energy budgeting through pacing helps focus energy on meaningful tasks, emphasizing the importance of accepting limitations rather than concealing vulnerabilities.
• Assertive healthcare advocacy and setting boundaries with providers unwilling to meet needs reinforce the importance of seeking respectful, trusting medical relationships.

“Innovation is one of the best attributes that people with chronic illness have in the workplace.” - Nicole Sanoski

Connect with Nicole Sanoski: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolesanoski/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Connect with Lisa Thee:

Website: https://lisathee.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisathee/ 

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/lisa.thee.polvi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisa_thee 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisatheepolvi/ 

Lisa’s BOOK: Go!: Reboot Your Career in 90 Days 

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.