Neurodivergent Women Make Great Leaders — Why Don’t We Have More of Them?
Full article published by Jocelyn Solis-Moreira for SheKnows
Women are all too familiar with the glass ceiling at work. But for those who are neurodivergent, the glass ceiling can feel more like a concrete wall.
Jennifer Alumbaugh found her neurodivergent status holding her back in jobs where she quickly outgrew her old position. Yet any attempts to move up the corporate ladder or present ideas to supervisors for improving the company were dismissed or disregarded. “It felt like I was always being rejected for promotions and now I look back and see it’s because others couldn’t see how [my neurodivergent brain] was one of my strengths.”
Alumbaugh’s experience is not so different from other neurodivergent folk. And despite attempts to create inclusive workplaces, the face of neurodivergent leadership is often white men.
Take a look at Elon Musk, says Julie Landry, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at NeuroSpark Health. The tech entrepreneur opened up about having Asperger’s at a Saturday Night Live opening monologue and received praise for his intelligence and willingness to take risks. Virgin founder Richard Branson is another billionaire who has attributed his dyslexia for his ability to think outside the box.
Neurodivergent brains are wired to experience the world differently, and these tech bosses have shown that it’s not a bad thing. It can help with thinking creatively for building products or solving complex problems, says Alumbaugh, who is now a neuroinclusive coach and consultant at Expansive Expressions. Yet, neurodivergent women are not on the same playing field and face unique challenges to reaching a leadership role.