Neurodiverse Workplaces are Good Business

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Guest Resources

Website - The Canary Code

Article – Forbes – The Brave New Hiring: Neurodiversity Inclusion is Tomorrow’s Workforce

Article – Psychology Today: Neuroaffirming Education – the right perch for every canary

Article – Harvard Business Review – Autism Doesn’t Hold People Back at Work. Discrimination Does

Article – To Build a Healthy Workplace you Need a Toxic Culture Alarm

268: Why Creating Neurodiverse, Inclusive Workplaces is Good Business with Professor Ludmila Praslova

In this Episode

Our host, Kate Jenkinson talks to Professor Ludmila Praslova, organizational psychologist and author of the acclaimed book The Canary Code. Ludmila shares insights from her research and lived experiences, unpacking the book’s central metaphor of the ‘canary in the coal mine’ — as a powerful lens for understanding workplace dynamics. She explains how neurodivergent individuals, often more attuned to dysfunction, can serve as early warning signals for toxic environments: arguing these sensitivities are not weaknesses but offer organizations a vital opportunity to detect and address systemic issues before they escalate.

With refreshing frankness, Ludmila explores neurodiversity in organizational settings, from poor hiring and evaluation practices to the pitfalls of traditional diversity and inclusion efforts and the value of considering intersectionality. She discusses and demonstrates the importance of ‘inclusion from the margins,’ providing real examples of forward-thinking companies that have successfully implemented neuroinclusive practices. Ludmila shares the role of feedback mechanisms, flexibility, and fair evaluation, and champions job crafting, role modelling and inclusive leadership.

Ludmila invites listeners to reimagine workplaces, where transparency, curiosity and fairness create environments where every mind and every business can thrive.

You Will Learn

Why sensitivity is not fragility but a signal that can aid organizations in creating high performing teams
Why traditional performance management, such as bell curves, do not work.
Why designing workplaces for those most marginalised results in healthier, more equitable and more effective systems for everyone

Guest Bio

Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D., is a Professor of Organizational Psychology at Vanguard University of Southern California, a member of the Thinkers 50 Radar Class of 2024, and a recipient of the 2024 PBS Difference Maker Award for her neurodiversity work. Her book, The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work received multiple gold awards. Dr. Praslova provided training to Amazon, MIT, and many other organizations.