We say we want our people to feel seen, heard, and understood.
But are our systems, especially how we communicate, really built to make that happen?
In an emotional and eye-opening episode of Words That Change Lives, I sat down with Lisa Kerr, a neurodiversity coach and business consultant, to unpack how outdated communication norms (like insisting on eye contact) are not only exclusionary but deeply ineffective.
Lisa’s lived experience as an autistic and ADHD professional in senior finance roles gave her a unique perspective. Her mission today is to help businesses remove barriers, not just label people.
Here are a few insights that struck me:
- Neurodivergent employees aren’t broken, but most systems are. Lisa explains how seemingly small adjustments can completely change the game.
- Superpowers aren’t the goal. Safety, clarity, and support are. Stop forcing people to “mask” just to survive.
- Redesign communication with intention: from meetings to emails to digital chat, we must rethink how information flows.
And this isn’t just about supporting individuals, it’s about business performance, retention, and innovation.
Lisa said it best:
“Support the challenges, and you’ll unlock the strengths.”
If you’re a leader, HR professional, or change agent, this conversation is one you can’t miss.
Listen here: https://podfollow.com/words-that-change-lives
Or if you prefer visuals, watch the YouTube video here:
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