Episode 91: Dr. Sharon Zivkovic

Welcome to episode #91! We’re thrilled to be joined by Dr. Sharon Zivkovic today.Dr. Sharon Zivkovic is an autistic social entrepreneur, systems thinker, and complexity scientist. As the CEO of Community Capacity Builders, she has used autistic cognition and systemizing strengths to develop and commercialize innovative solutions for wicked problems.Sharon has been recognized with a Fresh Scientist Award and her work is featured on the Complexity Sciences Map for Applied Complexity. Most recently, she founded the Centre for Autistic Social Entrepreneurship, which aims to create a neurodiversity-affirming entrepreneurial ecosystem.In this episode, we discuss how autistic cognition can be a superpower in systems thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship.Welcome to the show, Sharon!QuestionsJN: When did you first realize you were neurodivergent?Knew she was different as a child but autism wasn’t associated with girls at the timeStruggled in school due to difficulty processing informationWas eventually signed out of school at 14 and spent 16 years on welfareJN: What led you back to education later in life?Wanted to be financially independent when her daughter turned 16Went back to high school as the only mature-age student, then pursued university degreesDeveloped self-learning strategies, including recording lectures and transcribing them at homeJN: What was your career path before entrepreneurship?Worked in accounting and economic development, but struggled with traditional employmentWas successful in jobs but found she was “uncontrollable” as an employeeEventually started Community Capacity Builders to work on her own termsJC: What inspired you to become a social entrepreneur?Developed social innovation programs focused on community capacity buildingWon the Enterprising Woman of the Year Award for her work in social enterpriseStarted seeing autistic cognition as an advantage in problem-solving and system innovationJC: What is a "wicked problem" and how does complexity science help solve them?Wicked problems are complex issues like climate change & poverty with no simple solutionsComplexity science helps map out the interconnected causes and effectsUses system transitions and structured problem-solving to drive changeJN: How did receiving an autism diagnosis at 61 impact you?Helped her understand why traditional employment never workedRealized she had built the perfect life for an autistic person—self-employed, off-grid, full control over workFrustrated by the deficit-based approach of disability servicesJN: What challenges do autistic entrepreneurs face?Rigid business structures don’t work for many autistic thinkersStruggle with delegation, executive function, and bureaucracyNeed support systems tailored to their cognitive strengthsJC: What productivity strategies work best for you?Works in long focus blocks, starting immediately after waking upMonotropic focus—prefers to work on one major project at a timeTakes structured movement breaks throughout the dayJC: What strategies do NOT work for you?Multitasking or switching between different projects—prefers to finish one before starting anotherTraditional productivity hacks designed for neurotypicalsRigid, unnecessary social obligations—prioritizes meaningful work over networkingJN: What does your morning routine look like?Straight to work after waking up—no coffee, no distractionsWorks for several hours before breakfastHighly structured and optimized for deep workJN: How do you wind down at night?Watches movies while doing physiotherapy exercisesBatch cooks meals to minimize time spent on daily food prepLoves her off-grid lifestyle and avoids unnecessary social interactionsJN: Where can people connect with you?LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-sharon-zivkovic-2587888Website: https://www.communitycapacity.com.au/JC: Final words for the audience?“Neurodiversity is a movement. We need to take control of our own narrative.”“Autistic cognition is an asset—let’s build systems that recognize and support it.”More from Focus Bear:Website: https://focusbear.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearappTwitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.ioTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbearConnect with Jeremy:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremyEmail: [email protected] with Joey:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/