Prof. Nancy Doyle on neurodiverse talent

In this episode, Chloe interviews Professor Nancy Doyle, the founder of Genius Within, to discuss neurodiversity in the workplace and the incredible work her organisation is doing. They explore Nancy’s personal journey, the origins of Genius Within, and the concept of neurodiversity, including the growing awareness of self-diagnosis and the idea of a ‘spiky profile’ in neurodivergent individuals.

Nancy shares insights into how these spiky profiles—where abilities and skills vary significantly—can appear in areas such as literacy versus verbal skills or fine motor control versus literacy. The discussion also delves into the importance of evolving language and terminology in the neurodiversity field.

Nancy explains how workplaces can become more inclusive and supportive by understanding these differences. She suggests leveraging assistive technology, tailoring strategies for reading and writing tasks, and fostering a culture of inclusion. Aligning job roles with actual skills rather than relying on standardised assessments is key. Nancy advocates for personalised work environments and communication styles that enhance both productivity and well-being for neurodivergent employees.