When was the last time you felt like you belonged?
Like, truly belonged.
Who were you with? What were you doing? Where were you? How did you feel — in your mind and body?
If you’re anything like me, you’re a bit of a chameleon.
You know how to adapt to places, faces, and spaces to fit in.
Maybe you change the way you dress, speak differently (or don’t speak at all). Perhaps you mask-up to “perform,” go with the crowd, or don’t allow your weirdo-flag to fly at full-mast for fear of not being respected or liked.
I have done all of these things (and more) over the course of my life and career to be welcomed, to feel part of a team, and to side-step that awkward feeling of being the awkward gal in the room.
But, wearing masks and performing is exhausting and belonging isn’t about fitting in.
It’s about being welcomed, as you are, for who you are.
At work, in our communities, and in the wider world, true belonging happens when we stop asking people to mask, shrink, or change themselves to meet a certain “standard.”
Belonging happens when we open the doors of curiosity and acceptance wide open, shove our boots in them to keep them open, and invite people in exactly as they arrive.
As a spicy-brained business leader (dyslexia and ADHD) who has spent decades crafting strategies and utilising tools and frameworks for fitting in to established “normal corporate processes,” it’s been the moments where I’ve felt true belonging that’ve helped me to grow and thrive — and that’ve helped me help others to do the same.
Neurodiversity is magic in a world where “normal” is made up.
Neurodiversity is Good for Business
Too often, we think of differences in how brains work as challenges to be managed. In reality, neurodiverse people bring perspectives that fuel creativity, innovation, and resilience.
Here are a few of those ways:
- Creativity & Original Thinking:
Neurodiverse minds often connect dots that others miss. Dyslexic thinkers have pioneered breakthroughs in art, design, and storytelling. ADHD “hyperfocus” can unlock incredible bursts of productivity and innovation. Autistic precision and pattern recognition can lead to world-changing problem solving.
- Problem Solving at Scale:
Studies show diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones. When we add neurodiverse thinking into the mix, businesses unlock non-linear problem solving and fresh approaches that lead to more effective solutions.
- Adaptability & Innovation:
In rapidly changing industries, having team members who see the world differently is a strategic advantage. Innovation doesn’t come from echo chambers — it comes from contrast, friction, and fresh angles.
- Better Cultures & Communities:
Inviting people in as they are — without expectation to mask or conform — creates cultures of trust and belonging. When employees feel safe to be themselves, engagement, wellbeing, and retention rise.
In short: neurodiversity isn’t just good for people. It’s good for business. It’s good for creativity. It’s good for humanity.
THE SXSW SYDNEY SWEET-SPOT
Which brings me to SXSW Sydney!!!
This is your call to connect:
Spicy-brained-buds, cracking-creative-geniuses, energised-entrepreneurs, hyper-focused-forces, & everyone in between — join me in welcoming conversation, stories, and each other into a space of true belonging.
I’ll be back at SXSW Sydney for the second annual “NOT YOUR (NEURO)TYPICAL MIX N MINGLE” happening on Tuesday, 14th October from 10:30–11:30am at the Ideas Dome.
Last year, an amazingly diverse and intersectional group showed up to chat, connect, and swap stories.
This year, let’s do it again — bigger.
Let’s laugh.
Let’s ask questions.
Let’s belong.
Because belonging isn’t just an idea.
It’s an action. And when we practice it, everyone rises.
Come one, come all.
Come as you are.
See you in Sydney!
