Unleash Your Neurodivergent Strengths
There are days when the office is too loud, the project is too boring, the lights are too bright, and you can’t find the motivation to do “the thing.” There are days we hate our brains and the challenges we have being neurodivergent; but also, being neurodivergent has its good points, too. In the corporate world, in fact, neurodivergence kinda…kicks ass. For real.
Neurodiverse professionals not only bring distinctive strengths that can significantly enhance creativity, innovation, and problem-solving, but did you know neurodiverse folks can be more productive, more empathetic (read: better team leads and bosses), and overall have the ability to handle “more”.
Neurodiverse folks can have “a greater than normal capacity” to quickly process information and prioritize “critical” elements. Your brain is basically a supped up CPU in some situations, so I like to think of these skills as my Dungeons & Dragons Class Feature or Trait/Quirk selection. You got this cool ability to have extreme hyperfocus; but the downside is sometimes you don’t manage your time well on other priorities.
I know that navigating corporate environments can present “challenges” but understanding and leveraging your neurodivergent traits can create new paths to success that perhaps you may have been afraid to follow. This post delves into the cognitive strengths of neurodivergent individuals and provides strategies for thriving in the workplace, and even how workplaces can help, too.
Choose Your Traits: Understanding Neurodiversity as an Asset
Grab your dice and get ready to roll. Here are some common features among the Neurodiverse community.
Deep Focus or Hyperfocus -
The ND Wizard
The term “hyperfocus” is the ability to hone in on a topic, subject, or task and just go to town on it. This ability to immerse oneself deeply in a project can create high-quality outputs and deep expertise in specific areas; however, I think most people will recognize the Pro/Con of this. Pro: the going to town part. Con: maybe not realizing you’ve been in that town for several days without a break or to the detriment of other priorities.
From the ND Players Handbook: As a Neurodivergent Wizard, your ability to hyperfocus lets you delve deeply into your interests, mastering topics with unmatched intensity. You can weave together knowledge and ideas like magic, creating innovative solutions.” Don’t forget to cast a ‘Break Time’ spell—your brain needs it!
High Creativity & Problem-Solving -
The ND Ranger
Neurodivergent individuals often excel in creative and divergent (ha) thinking: “the ability to generate many spontaneous and novel ideas.” That quote and this study by Girard-Joyal and Gauthier interestingly show how many with people ADHD are known for their ability to generate multiple solutions to a single problem. The ability to generate multiple ideas that others can’t see not only brings unique solutions to everyday problems, but can help you find roles that fit, enrich your time at a company, and should be noted on performance reviews or promotion discussions.
From the ND Players Handbook: As a Neurodivergent Ranger, you have a knack for finding creative solutions and seeing possibilities others don’t. Your curiosity and adaptability make you the go-to adventurer for tackling complex challenges. Rangers sometimes wander too far—stay grounded when diving into new ideas!
Enhanced Pattern Recognition and Analytical Skills -
The ND Rogue
Due to how your brain processes things differently (back to that Top-Down / Bottom-Up thing again), pattern spotting can be a big neurodiverse skill you possess. If you seem to find patterns quickly in massive data sets, come to a single, cogent conclusion based on reading many anecdotal stories, or just look across a team of seemingly “disjointed” team members but can quickly identify strengths and actions to apply, you may have the pattern recognition trait.
From the ND Players Handbook: As a Neurodivergent Rogue, you excel at reading the room and noticing details others overlook. Your sharp insights make you an expert at navigating tricky situations and finding hidden opportunities. While stealth is a strength, don’t forget to let others in on your brilliance.
Unique Emotional Insights -
The ND Cleric
Feel the feels! Neurodivergent individuals may have heightened emotional sensitivities allowing for a deep understanding of 1/people’s experiences from a user perspective, and 2/heightened Affective Empathy leading to better leadership skills.
Affective Empathy is the ability to share feelings or mirror someone else’s feelings. It is literally: feel the feelings.
Cognitive Empathy is the understanding of what someone is feeling.
From the ND Players Handbook: As a Neurodivergent Cleric, you’re the emotional healer of the party, offering empathy and understanding that others often overlook. You see connections and emotional undercurrents that others miss, making you a vital ally in navigating relationships and challenges. Remember, even the healer needs healing—don’t forget to recharge your own energy!
Resilient AF -
The ND Fighter
Pivot, a quarterly CPA industry magazine from Canada, had a great example about Resilience and Neurodiversity among its industry, but I think summed up this “soft skill” excellently:
“Neurodivergent individuals have, by necessity, developed resilience throughout their lives as they navigate a world that may not always understand and accommodate their differences. This resilience can be a valuable asset within organizations, helping them weather storms and adapt to unforeseen challenges.”
From the ND Players Handbook: As a Neurodivergent Fighter, you’re the powerhouse who charges through obstacles with determination and grit. No matter the challenge, you find a way to persevere, inspiring others with your strength. Even warriors need help and rest—watch out for burnout as you push forward and ask for help when you need it.
Strategies for Leveraging Your Strengths
Once you’ve got your Character details selected, it’s time to put them to good use in your dungeon role resume.
Identify Your Unique Skills
Take a moment to not only what you think your strengths are, but look at what you think your potential weakness might be too—it could be your new trait if harnessed correctly. Understanding your unique capabilities can help you articulate your value during interviews and in your current role. For additional guidance on Unique Skills and how to do this, check out my post here.
Seek Roles That Align with Your Strengths & Passions
Pursue positions that allow you to leverage your skills and quirks. If you excel in Excel analytical tasks, consider roles in data analysis, UX research or game testing. If creativity is your forte, explore opportunities in game design, marketing, or user experience! Finding roles that match your strengths can not only enhance your job satisfaction, but can help your career progression go a bit more smoothly. If you have difficulty with intrinsic motivation, finding something that aligns with your passions/likes can help with half the battle.
Cultivate Supportive Networks
Surround yourself with mentors and peers who understand and appreciate how your brain works and your working style. I get this may be difficult and feel like you’re exposing yourself, but you may be surprised at who you find in your corner. I have a more detailed post about finding a mentor here.
Advocate for Your Needs
If you feel you would do even better with an accommodation, then please do ask for it. Making a workplace more inclusive helps everyone. Ask for the noise canceling headphone or a flexible schedule. Most workplace accommodations, 56% actually, cost nothing to the employer and even when it did, it was around $300. As always, do what you feel most comfortable with personally.
Highlight Your Accomplishments
Brag about your wins! Send a thank you email to those that helped you do something and reporting “it was awesome!” or during your performance review, focus on how your neurodivergent strengths contributed to your success. You don’t have to say “gee, my neurodivergent strength was really the bee’s knees on this project boss!” but do use specific examples to illustrate your unique contributions by way of thinking such as creative problem solving, or recognizing a pattern no one else saw that unlocked the data point y’all needed for the new product design.
Take Care of Yourself
These are Traits, after, all and they come with an up and downside. If you select “hyperfocus” set 3 alarms in your phone or computer that remind you to stop what you’re doing in that moment and assess what’s up—digital mindfulness. Or if you have heightened affective empathy, find ways to ground yourself and “leave it at work.” These awesome skills left unchecked can consume you; it’s why neurodiverse folks have a higher rate of Burnout than neurotypical folks.
Celebrate your neurodiversity as an asset—because it is. You can let these inherent skills guide your journey in the corporate world to a place where you can embrace your awesomeness while making space and taking care of yourself. LFG!
PS, Henry is the team Bard. Let me know what you’d pick for him in the comments!