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Inspirational Insights to Action Podcast
Neurodiversity on Teams with CEO Carol Simpson
Season 1, Ep. 6
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You hear a lot about autism today. Seen through a pathological lens, autism is a brain disorder. Seen as a specialized form of intelligence, it is a huge pool of untapped talent for companies seeking talent particularly in the IT sector. SAP, Microsoft have launched programs to fill all kinds of roles including software testing, data analysis, quality assurance to IT project management, graphic design, finance administration and human resources. Most of Silicon Valley is on the autistic spectrum. Neuro-diversity adds to the workplace extraordinary ability in pattern recognition, attention to detail, sequencing and logic and, by adding training and support, the required social and communication skills.But you don’t have to be a big company to benefit from this pool of intelligence.
In this episode Carol Simpson, CEO of Focus Professional Services explains why adding neuro-diversity makes your workplace better in terms of communication and productivity outcomes while being socially responsible . Focus provides software testing and data quality services to organizations in the Vancouver, Canada area.
The solution that Carol’s company offers is one that recognizes the unique advantage of neuro-specialized intelligence. Carol’s company hires and trains people on the autistic spectrum, provides training, and then delivers software development services to companies ready to up their performance through adding diversity.
You’ll hear:
- A story of one person on the spectrum who’d been ‘failed’ by many workplaces, who finally found one where he was accepted and could contribute (after training).
- Why communication in the workplace dramatically improves thanks to the presence of neuro-specialized individuals on the team who don’t need social approval.
- The personal reason why Carol started Focus Point Pro and what she’s learned from her sons.
- How neuro-specialized individuals benefit client outcomes plus how a sense of contribution and belonging benefits the social and resilience skills of Focus employees.
- How Carol finds overlooked talent.
- About the adjustments team members make to fit into the workplace and what clients learn through the process of adding neuro-specialized individuals to their teams
- How Carol deals with unconscious bias, fear of diversity/difference when marketing
- Tips for employers who claim they can’t find talent?
- Tips for neuro-specialized individuals who have experienced discrimination or abuse in the workplace by insensitive management or co-workers?
- A personal story about a high school teacher’s advice to her autistic son and what happened afterward.
To find out more about Carol Simpson’s company go to her website and watch the video featuring staff and clients): http://focusps.ca
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusprofessionalservices/
Twitter @focus_ps
Connect to Focus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/6399887
Intro music provided by Mark Romero Music.
Host Dawna Jones provides insights to decision-makers ready to take bold steps forward.
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