The Trolley Scenario: Neuroinclusive Leadership and the Hidden Cost of Masking with Ron Sosa

Imagine a trolley hurtling down the tracks toward five people. You can pull a lever and divert it — but there's one person on the side track too. Most people pull the lever. And according to Ron Sosa, that's exactly how most workplaces are built: systems designed for the majority, with everyone else quietly getting run over. In this episode of Humor in the C Suite, Kate Davis sits down with Ron to talk about what it really costs to lead while masking, why humor is one of the most powerful tools for self-advocacy, and what becomes possible when leaders are finally given permission to lead as themselves.Key Topics CoveredRon and Kate explore the Trolley Scenario as a framework for understanding how workplace systems are designed — and who they leave behind. They dig into what masking actually costs neurodivergent leaders: the identity erosion, the accelerated burnout, the exhaustion of contorting yourself to meet an expectation that was never built with you in mind. Ron talks about how humor functions as a genuine tool for self-advocacy — not self-deprecation, but the ability to laugh at yourself in a way that makes the hard stuff lighter and the conversations easier. They cover the RISE framework, values-based leadership, and why Ron always starts coaching with personal values rather than professional ones. Kate shares her own experience with ADHD and anxiety, and Ron drops a stat that stops her mid-conversation: neurodivergent children receive an average of 20,000 more corrective comments than their neurotypical peers before the age of ten — and what that does to a person's relationship with humor, validation, and people-pleasingStandout Quotes"The ability to laugh at yourself makes the ability to advocate for yourself less heavy." — Ron Sosa"Nobody is truly toxic. People just have unmet needs they don't know how to express — or needs we don't know how to meet." — Ron Sosa"You conform to society, put on the leadership mask, and everything becomes heavier. You erode your own identity — and then you burn out faster." — Ron SosaAdditional Links & Resources:Interested in being a guest on Humor in the C-Suite? Reach out to book a call with Kate!Learn more about me and my work at katedavis.caThank you for tuning in to this episode of Humor in the C-Suite! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast, share it with your friends, and leave a rating or review. Your support helps the podcast continue to grow. Hosted by Kate DavisEdited by Chris @ Wider View Studios