As a company dedicated to nurturing a caring work vibe, we were all ears when our Business Director, Sian, shared her personal journey with neurodiversity.
Unlocking brilliance in the workplace
12 Mar 2024
It all started with her child’s Autism and ADHD diagnosis. Throughout the assessment process, Sian identified traits that resonated with her personally, bringing her a fresh outlook on life. Her self-awareness deepened as she identified ADHD-related behaviours in her work style. “I’d fly through the first 95% of a task but then find the final 5% more challenging to complete as my hyperfocus waned, especially with tasks lacking fixed deadlines.”
To boost productivity, Sian developed ADHD strategies that have proved effective:
1. Recognising your peak productive times. Identifying when you’re most productive can help you channel your energy into tasks more efficiently.
2. Change your workspace. Experiment with different locations or environments for tasks you find less engaging. A change of scenery can reinvigorate your focus.
3. Set self-imposed deadlines. Establishing your own deadlines can provide structure and motivation for tasks without fixed timeframes.
4. Be ready for that ‘last 5%’ interest drop and if you feel momentum dipping, switch up the location or bounce ideas off a colleague to give you a boost.
5. Office environments can be busy and noisy with lots of distractions – even for neurotypical individuals, so find a breakout space. Our new office has plenty of this which really helps if you just need to focus on a task for a while.
At BWP we offer 1:1 specialist coaching for individuals and line managers, we’re committed to creating a sense of belonging for all staff. Our DE&I action group enlisted Enna to provide neurodiversity training for our entire company.
According to Enna, embracing neurodiversity in the workplace can lead to a 30% increase in problem-solving capabilities, due to diverse perspectives fostering more creative and effective solutions.
Forbes reports that neurodiverse teams can offer unique problem-solving approaches, with research indicating that companies with inclusive cultures outperform their peers by up to 80% in innovation.
Other additions we have rolled out include fidget toys in meeting rooms, weighted blankets, video versions of our staff handbook for those who find text challenging and the introduction of a ‘work style’ questionnaire to new starters.
“We want to create an environment where people can be themselves and play to their strengths, rather than expecting everyone to think and respond to situations the same way. Acceptance of different work needs and styles helps to create a more inclusive workplace where people can thrive.”
John Grover from Enna comments: “Our open and honest training sessions create an atmosphere where people feel they can share ways to help neurodivergent colleagues thrive and to help businesses become more inclusive and competitive in the marketplace”.
Sian’s journey shows the transformative impact of embracing neurodiversity in the workplace and how acknowledging individual strengths and nurturing an inclusive environment, every employee can flourish.