Imagine a world where every brain’s unique melody isn’t just acknowledged but celebrated – a workplace where ‘different’ isn’t just accepted; it’s the cornerstone of creativity and empathy. This isn’t a distant dream but the reality we’re trying to create at Nimble, through the understanding of our diverse minds.
Did you know it’s estimated that 1 in 7 people are neurodiverse, with nearly 30% of neurodivergent employees in the tech sector reporting having two or more conditions. But they are often unaware of the strengths their unique perspectives bring to their teams and communities.
For Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we’ve spoken to some of our neurodiversity team members, affectionately known as Nimblers to take a journey through their diverse experiences.
Their stories shed light on the nuanced realities of neurodiversity, from the daily triumphs to the challenges that test their resilience. Neurodiversity, encompassing conditions like ADHD, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), dyspraxia, and more, invites us to rethink conventional notions of ‘normal’ and embrace the vast spectrum of human cognition.
Nimbler S says to them “it’s awareness of people’s brains, scientifically working differently. There’s no stigma of good or bad, it’s just different.”
Capturing the essence of navigating life and work with a neurodiverse mind, Nimbler K, describes what being neurodiverse means to them: “The functionality and behaviour [of how my brain works] are somewhat left of field and not typically billed as the norm. You see things through a different lens. And you deal with things through a different lens.”
Embracing Challenges and Opportunities
Some of the most successful people in the world are all neurodiverse. So while being neurodiverse can be a challenge, it can represent an opportunity to think differently and add amazing value.
“On a good day, it’s what makes me exceptional. On a bad day, it’s the barrier between me and the rest of the world.” – Nimbler L.
Nimblers’ reflections offer a window into their neurodiverse experience, marked by a blend of unique challenges and remarkable strengths.
Nimbler L expands and says they “find it much easier to communicate face to face, I really struggle with speaking on the phone or video calls where people don’t have their video on. Visual cues like body language help with concentration.”
Navigating the workplace as a neurodiverse individual comes with its set of challenges, from societal misconceptions to practical workplace hurdles. Yet, it’s through these challenges that our team finds resilience, creativity and strength.
“I think attitudes [towards neurodiverse people] are changing for the better; there is more of an understanding that it’s not always a disadvantage and that diversity in teams can bring better solutions.” – Nimbler A
The Journey to Inclusivity
The journey may be long, but it’s in motion and moving in the right direction, Nimbler D says “I think my exposure personally to neurodiversity has increased, across the last 6 to 12 months. There’s a positive swing within the company looking towards this area. The overall awareness is improving. As a company, we can do more, but need to broaden our awareness first. It’s more open and widely talked about. But there’s a way to go as a society, but also within Nimble as well.”.
The path to inclusivity is paved with continuous learning and adaptation. Listening and open dialogue have been crucial.
For Nimbler C, their journey started before they received a formal diagnosis: “I’ve had a hunch that I’ve been neurodiverse but I’d never done anything about it. Things have changed from when we were back in school, things have changed so much.”
This improvement in awareness, understanding and diagnosis is positive and these conversations are the foundation for dismantling barriers and fostering a culture that sees value in every individual’s contribution.
Celebrating Diversity and Innovation
“On a good day, it’s what makes me exceptional. On a bad day, it’s the barrier between me and the rest of the world.”
Nimbler L.
This duality highlights just how variable the neurodiverse experience is, where exceptional abilities often meet with significant challenges. Our Nimblers’ successes remind us of the possibilities that arise from diverse perspectives and ways of thinking.
“While I struggle with vocalising my thoughts, I think quite visually, which really helps me be creative and see how things connect. I sometimes wonder why people can’t ‘see’ the answer like I can” – Nimbler A
Embracing the unique perspectives of our neurodiverse team members not only enriches our workplace culture but also drives innovation. By valuing every individual’s contribution, we create an environment where creativity flourishes, and unconventional ideas pave the way for breakthroughs. Celebrating neurodiversity is not just about recognition; it’s about unlocking the potential for extraordinary innovation that lies within the diversity of thought.
Practical Steps from Our Team
The workplace can be a complex landscape for neurodiverse individuals. From the anxiety sparked by communication hurdles to the sensory challenges of a bustling office environment, the hurdles are real but often invisible.
Nimbler L mentioned “I can’t write in the office. I can’t filter out what’s going on around me. To get work done I need to be at home in my space and to be comfortable.”
In our journey toward inclusivity, we’ve implemented practical strategies inspired by our team’s experiences. Here are some top insights shared by Nimblers:
- Flexible Work Environments: Let people decide how they want to work because everyone works best in their own way. Nimbler M comments “When I first started working from home, it was awful. I am a social creature… And now I get different things from both [working at home and working in an office]. I enjoy working from home for being able to do things around work if I have downtime. And in the office, the social side of things is really useful.”
- Creating Safe Spaces for Open Dialogue: We’re encouraging discussions about neurodiversity and mental health to help break down stigma and foster a supportive environment.
Nimbler K adds; “It’s just about education, and people being open and honest to talk about it. Not everyone feels comfortable talking about it. Raising awareness that there are people who you think have their sh** together, who are actually still having internal neurodiverse struggles are out there. There are people to talk to, You’re not on your own with it all.”
“I feel I can be whatever version of me and I won’t be looked at or prevented from excelling in my role” – Nimbler H
- Adapting Communication for Clarity and Understanding: Creating key communication in a variety of formats can really help with understanding, “Part of my role is to understand how to relay information, which can be challenging… I use an iPad and write everything down with my Apple Pencil. It changes it into text for me because my writing is so messy, I wouldn’t be able to read it otherwise.” – Nimbler K.
- Creating a Culture of Allyship: As we talk more about it, and normalise differences we encourage a culture of understanding and Allyship, Nimble S notes “my new manager was an ally when moving into dealing with commercial work. He could see that I was overwhelmed but at no point did he ever judge me for it… He was like ‘that’s fine, it’s how you process it’ and walked through each of the steps helping along the way.”.
Join Us in Creating an Inclusive Future
When talking about how Nimble and society as a whole can better support neurodiverse individuals Nimbler M said: “Broadly speaking, be more empathetic to people… Especially with something as broad as neurodiversity, a little bit of empathy goes an awfully long way.”
As we delve deeper into the world of neurodiversity, the stories of our Nimblers underscores the importance of empathy, education, and action. By fostering a workplace where differences are not just acknowledged but celebrated, we unlock the potential of every individual, every project, and every client.
How will you contribute to creating a world where every individual’s neurodiversity is not just supported but celebrated? Join us on the journey making inclusivity not an exception but the norm.
In embracing neurodiversity, we not only create a more inclusive workplace but also contribute to a society that values every individual for their unique contributions. Let this celebration of neurodiversity be a call to action—to listen, learn, and lean into the future with an open heart and an open mind.
