By the time I’m done
with you, you’ll be the most neuroinclusive company
in Austria!

“When it comes to neurodiversity, Austria is stuck in the stone-age.”

– Anna; Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
and former school teacher

Austria is well behind the curve.

Many companies in the Anglophone world are getting on board and leading the game with neuroinclusion. Many of them say that neurodiversity is the next level of diversity and inclusion, not just as an act of responsibility and compassion but as a competitive advantage, unlocking unprecedented talent already existing within their company and attracting new talent.

Most companies in Austria don’t have neuroinclusion on their radar; the ones that do don’t have a neuroinclusion strategy in place.

One Diversity and Inclusion manager I spoke to said,

“We don’t have a problem with neurodiversity in our organisation. Most people who work here are pretty organised and have a knack for planning, organising and executing.” (In short, they’re pretty neurotypical.)

That would be like saying, “We don’t have problems with racial tension here; everyone who works here is white!

You already employ or manage neurodivergent individuals!

They may be the people who have already disclosed a condition such as Asperger's, ADHD or dyslexia, or they may be the person who also occupies themselves with seemingly quirky matters that end up being relevant to your project.

Or they could be the ultra-shy number cruncher who sees the critical details that everyone else misses, but always leaves office parties early.

Or they're the entrepreneur who applied to your company years ago, didn't get the job, and then went off to start a unicorn. You're still kicking yourself for not hiring them when you had the chance.

Neurodiverse people tend to be highly talented, especially in certain areas.

Some neurodivergences trade off detail for big-picture thinking; for example, people with ADHD may excel at generating new ideas, while people with dyslexia may have a natural talent for spatial reasoning and design.

Some neurodivergences trade the big picture for fine detail; for example, people with Autism/Asperger's may have an exceptional ability to focus on tasks and notice patterns that others miss.

Everyone, neurodivergent or not, benefits from an environment where they are not expected to fit a mould and where their unique strengths can shine.

For Entrepreneurs and start-ups:

Did you know that half of self-made millionaires are neurodivergent.

Yes half!

And the proportion of CEOs is similar. In middle management, the numbers are much lower — around 1%. No wonder you wanted to start your own business!

How I can help:

  • I offer bespoke services to organisations committed to improving their neuro-inclusion practices and embracing a neuro-diverse workplace. This includes an assessment of current practices and the development of tailored strategies and action plans. Throughout the process you will benefit from expert advice on best practice in recruiting, retaining and supporting neurodiverse employees, as well as ongoing support and guidance throughout the implementation process.

  • With one in eight people being neurodivergent, every team is faced with neurodiversity in some way. Group coaching can help teams understand the strengths and challenges of being neurodiverse, promote effective communication, collaboration and cohesion, and enable teams to reach their full potential and succeed together.

  • I work with neurodivergent individuals and those who work closely with them to identify their strengths and challenges, develop strategies for success, and navigate workplace interactions with colleagues and managers.

"Everyone benefits from embracing neurodiversity at work. The unique skills, cognitive strengths & fresh ideas of a neurodiverse workforce is exactly what businesses need to evolve & succeed."

– Richard Branson, Dyslexic Entrepreneur

These companies were founded by people with neurodivergence:

Virgin Group, founded by Richard Branson, dyslexic.
IKEA: Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of IKEA, dyslexic.
Charles Schwab Corporation, founded by Charles Schwab, dyslexic.
The Body Shop: founded by Anita Roddick, dyslexic.
Microsoft, founded by Bill Gates, ADHD.
Apple, founded by Steve Jobs, dyslexic.
Pokémon Franchise, founded by Satoshi Tajiri, Asperger’s

These companies are well known for actively seeking to recruit neuroidivergent employees:

JPMorgen Chase
Dell
Ernst & Young
Goldman Sachs
Google
GCHQ (the British intelligence and anti-terrorism service)
Universal Music