329: How to Create a Neurodiversity-Friendly Workplace

What if many of the behaviors we dismiss as laziness or "not getting it together" are actually signs that someone's brain works differently? In this episode of Finding Brave, Kathy Caprino welcomes Kristen Pressner, a trailblazing people leader helping reshape conversations around neurodiversity, ADHD, and human potential. As Chief People Officer for prominent multinational, Nokia, Kristen is a sought-after voice on equity and inclusion and regularly appears on international "Top HR Influencer" lists. Following the global impact of her TEDx talk, Are you biased? I am, which challenged audiences to confront unconscious bias with greater honesty and self-awareness, Kristen returned to the TEDx stage with a new question: Why is it that so many people just 'can't get it together'? The talk explores how neurodivergent traits are often misunderstood and has sparked conversations across families, workplaces, and the ADHD community. It also led to Kristen joining the World Economic Forum's Global Brain Economy Initiative, launched at Davos. In this conversation, Kristen shares how her family's experiences with ADHD transformed the way she understands motivation, behavior, and potential. She explains why many neurodivergent traits are misunderstood as character flaws and how traditional expectations can unintentionally create shame. Kristen also unpacks the biological differences between neurotypical and ADHD brains, including the role dopamine plays in focus and action, and how to build neuro-inclusive workplaces that help people thrive. Additionally, Kristen highlights the extraordinary strengths that often accompany neurodivergence, from creativity and innovation to future thinking and problem-solving. Tune in for a powerful conversation about neurodiversity, leadership, and creating a more brain-friendly world! Key Points From This Episode: Introducing Kristen Pressner, her TEDx talks, and her revelations around unconscious bias as an HR leader. [02:02] How the pandemic exposed hidden struggles with ADHD and neurodivergence within Kristen's family. [08:45] Diagnostic criteria, why ADHD is often misunderstood, and how neurodivergence exists on a broader spectrum than many realize. [12:15] Biological differences between neurotypical and ADHD brains, and why different brains need different strategies to thrive. [15:07] The necessary conditions for focus and productivity in ADHD minds: challenging, novel, fun, or do-or-die urgent. [20:23] Reframing "hard" and "easy" tasks and recognizing the unique strengths linked to neurodivergence. [22:50] How reducing shame and building brain-friendly conditions helped Kristen's family move from surviving to thriving. [23:57] Kristen's advice for parents: reducing shame, recognizing strengths, and helping neurodivergent kids thrive. [31:33] Her vision for more flexible, neuro-inclusive workplaces that help people thrive. [35:09] Where to learn more about Kristen's work and why spreading awareness around neurodiversity matters. [40:19] For More Information: Kristen Pressner Kristen Pressner on LinkedIn Kristen Pressner on Instagram Kristen Pressner on Facebook Kristen Pressner on X Kristen Pressner on TikTok Be a Brain Friend TEDx on Instagram Be a Brain Friend TEDx on Facebook Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Kristen's TEDx talk, Why is it that so many people just 'can't get it together'? Kristen's TEDx talk on unconscious bias, Are you biased? I am HR Leaders Podcast with Chris Rainey, How To Create a Neurodiversity-Friendly Workplace LinkedIn Post, The #1 Skill in the Age of AI (It's not what you think) Direct link to free Neurodiversity Learning Pathway The World Economic Forum's Global Brain Economy Initiative ——————— Ready to Take Your Professional Life and Leadership to the Next Level FAST?  Work with Kathy and get hands-on, transformative CAREER & LEADERSHIP GROWTH COACHING SUPPORT today! Join me today in one of my top-requested career and leadership growth 1:1 coaching programs, and break through to a new, more rewarding career, professional and leadership experience and chapter. And take 10% off the price this week with coupon code 'BRAVEPOD10" as my thank-you for tuning in! 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Audible Offer Amazon Music Offer Quotes: "I thought ADHD was nine-year-old boys bouncing off the wall, and that isn't how it manifested in my house at all." — Kristen Pressner [0:14:11] "How it manifested in my house is [through] things that most of us would call character flaws: not getting it together, running around looking for your keys—not adulting." — Kristen Pressner [0:14:18] "I saw all this potential in my family, and then all of this appeared to me to be laziness, not giving a hoot, not trying, not applying themselves, and that's character flaws." — Kristen Pressner [0:14:49] "I have wind at my back, because the world was made for me, and they've got invisible wind in their face, because it wasn't made for them." — Kristen Pressner [0:19:58] "It feels like they're making easy things really hard. [But they] make hard things look really easy, like connecting dots others wouldn't connect, or anticipating the future in ways I couldn't do." — Kristen Pressner [0:23:11] "Our research shows that the accommodations in the workplace that enable someone to be much more effective cost less than 500 bucks. No one's asking to work from Fiji." — Kristen Pressner [0:37:36] Watch our Finding Brave episodes on YouTube! Don't forget – you can experience each Finding Brave episode in both audio and video formats!  Check out new and recent episodes on my YouTube channel at YouTube.com/kathycaprino. And please leave us a comment and a thumbs up if you like the show!