Over the last eleven weeks, we have been building the NeuroConversant Leadership foundation. It started by explaining what I mean by that term and exploring just how differently people can think, process and communicate information. We have talked about navigating difficult conversations, giving feedback, building trust using effective communication skills. The topics have largely been focused on leadership development in the workplace for people transitioning roles. It turns out that effective communication is not only important in the workplace – but it also plays a crucial role in all areas of everyone’s life…not just engineers who are becoming managers.

A few years ago, I did a talk focused on effective communication for engineers who need to talk to everyone else. Fortunately for me, there happened to be a realtor in the room. She came up to me afterwards and said that the very same communication issues affect Realtors and asked if I would I speak at their next Board of Realtors meeting. It became clear that everyone struggles with communication, especially when interacting with people who process information differently. Whether or not one of the people is neurodivergent, the range within ‘neurotypical’ is broad enough that it is very easy for miscommunication to occur.

That realization prompted me to start the NeuroConversant Leadership Podcast a little over two years ago. Regardless of the main topic in each episode, effective communication is a common thread throughout. When I asked Jennifer Berton in one of my first episodes why effective communication was so important, her answer was “Communication is the basis of everything we do!” She’s right. Whether it is leading a team, talking to co-workers, spending time with friends, forming romantic relationships or raising your children – Effective communication is the backbone for success.

Expanding the Framework

Over the next twelve weeks, we are going to build on that foundation and expand it. We have been working within what I call the neurotypical 80% – people whose brains are wired within the typical range, but who still think and communicate very differently from each other. We’ve also been focused on STEM based workplaces, especially engineering. Now we will broaden that out to not only personal life, but to how important being NeuroConversant is in other careers.

We’ll cover

• The neurodivergent 20% – Understanding ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other conditions. What they actually are (beyond stereotypes), strategies if you have them yourself, and how to communicate effectively with people who have them.
• NeuroConversant principles in personal life – Applying these skills in parenting, friendships, family relationships, and community involvement. Effective communication matters just as much at Thanksgiving dinner as it does in the boardroom.
• Different professional contexts – How teachers can reach all learners, how entrepreneurs can leverage cognitive diversity in building teams and pitching investors, and why neurodiversity drives innovation across all fields.
• Universal strategies – Communication approaches that work across the entire cognitive spectrum, benefiting everyone regardless of where they fall on the bell curve.

The core truth is still the same. Everyone may be looking at the same map, but if we have different legends for interpreting what we see, the other person’s view can seem very foreign. We will dive deeper into just how differently people see the world, while also going broader by exploring various workplaces and how being NeuroConversant comes into play.

 Going Forward

As George Bernard Shaw famously said “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” This problem isn’t caused by our ability to speak and convey our ideas. Problems usually occur when we assume that everyone likes to receive and deliver information the same way we do – which is rarely the case. We have talked a lot about checking our assumptions and asking questions to ensure we are on the same page. This is always good advice, so it is going to continue to be a common theme as we move forward, just in an expanded context.

Another topic that will be woven throughout the coming months is my upcoming book. I am in the editing process right now and it will be published in Spring. The book is, as you might expect, about effective communication. What’s interesting is how many communication topics are involved in the process itself.  The focus on the reader, tone and style, editing, illustrating important points – these are all communication lessons that I need to keep in mind, while also writing about those very same topics!

Your feedback and support

Want to learn more about my writing journey and help me along the way? I am building a list of people who want to help support my book launch. I will be providing updates as well as giving special offers and gifts at the time of the launch. I may even ask your advice on a few things. If you are interested in getting these updates and offers, let me know. I will gladly add you to my list for periodic book launch updates.