Neurodiversity is a hot topic, however it is harder to find information on the teams led by a neurodivergent manager. Sue Garner uses this as an opportunity to focus on neurodivergent founders.
Neurodivergent Entrepreneurship in the UK
Many recruitment processes are biased. They focus on your ability to complete forms and perform well in interviews, rather than on evidencing the skills and competencies required for the role. For this reason, setting up a business is one of the only career routes for neurodivergent individuals.
It’s interesting to note that around a quarter of UK entrepreneurs are neurodivergent. That’s a finding from the UK Start-up Awards report*, which highlights the dominance of alternative thinking in new businesses.
Further insights are shared in a recently published Neurodivergent Entrepreneurship in the UK report** by the Lilac Centre. It highlights the barriers that drive individuals to launch a business, along with the impact that these neurodivergent founders make on the economy.
“Neurodivergent entrepreneurs already make an important contribution to the UK economy and society. Across many sectors, they are building businesses, developing new ideas and creating employment, often while navigating systems that were not designed with their needs in mind. With better-designed systems, they could do far more.”
What is Meant By Better-designed Systems for Neurodivergent Founders?
The report shares recommendations that would enable neurodivergent business leaders to thrive. It’s interesting to see that despite the high percentage of businesses run by neurodivergent leaders, those offering business support services are not widely neurodivergent-aware. Whether it is access to finance, advice on business growth or training for personal development, this lack of tailored support hinders potential.
“The barriers neurodivergent founders face are not about ability or ambition. They arise from how systems are structured: administrative processes that are unnecessarily complex, communication norms that assume a single way of thinking and working, and support that arrives too late or in the wrong form.”
One recommendation is greater recognition of, and signposting to, peer networks. We all know the value of gaining practical insights from people who face similar challenges. We learn best from those who see things as we do and provide information relevant to our circumstances. This is one of the reasons that I’m now involved in hosting a Neurodivergent Founders Circle. This is a virtual, monthly peer group that brings together business owners from across the UK who benefit from sharing experiences, best practices and recommendations to overcome barriers.
Development Opportunities To Upskill Neurodivergent Managers
Personal development is one challenge for neurodivergent managers. You need to build business skills, ensure compliance and be up to speed with health & safety. Yet, few of us can concentrate throughout a full-day course. In many training settings, the environment, distractions and fear of being put on the spot limit the capacity to learn.
An alternative is online learning, which offers affordable, bite-sized modules. Accessing training from your device, in your preferred working environment, offers greater control. As does the option to work at your pace, fast-tracking through familiar topics, while replaying those that require deeper understanding.
You don’t need to be neurodivergent to prefer this flexible learning option. Many of us value the benefit of accessing training on our terms. It’s why I have collated over 150 accredited, online e-learning modules that upskill leaders and managers in all aspects of business. If there is an area of people management, compliance, health & safety, or personal development that you want to address, email me, and I’ll reply with the relevant options.
Business Support Services for Neurodivergent Leaders
As for anyone providing business advice, funding, training and other support services, it makes sense to gain neurodiversity awareness. With a better understanding of the challenges faced by those with conditions including dyslexia, dyscalculia and ADHD, you can break down the barriers.
Let’s help those who are often unfairly excluded from the workplace. They have valuable skills and fresh perspectives, yet need better support to contribute to our economy.
*https://startupawards.uk/news/the-neurodivergent-edge-in-uk-entrepreneurship ** https://labs.uk.barclays/media/ryplkfto/neurodiverse-founders.pdf
