The conversation around workplace inclusivity has gained momentum in recent years, yet one critical area often leaves leadership uncertain on how to progress forward—neurodiversity. With an estimated 20% of the workforce identifying as neurodivergent, businesses have a unique opportunity to create environments that not only support these employees but also unlock greater innovation, engagement, and productivity across the board.
Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in human brain function, encompassing conditions such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and more. Just as biodiversity strengthens ecosystems, neurodiversity enriches workplaces by bringing diverse perspectives, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. However, traditional office setups often fail to accommodate different cognitive needs, leading to unnecessary stress and reduced performance for neurodivergent employees.
Supporting n...
First published on COMUNiTI, August 2024
When I engage with new clients, I am quickly curious about their company values. Whether they are written in a strategy document, printed and hung on the walls, or just shared as a general feeling of what's important - it's crucial to for us understand whether the physical workspace drives values-aligned behaviours.
So often we find that the office layout and design is really misaligned.
When creating a new workplace we can influence people to act in a way that aligns with the organisation’s desired outcomes. I do this by introducing different types of work spaces and zoning areas to consolidate similar types of activities and environmental cues like texture and colour. This thinking is based on nudge theory, which is a behavioural science concept that proposes we can influence the behaviours and decisi...