Weaving the Human Fabric: Exploring Neurodiversity with Jenny Turner
For small business owners, neurodivergence is both strength and challenge. A different perspective on the world invites creativity and innovation, and can also make it harder to navigate systems designed with neurotypical thinking in mind.
We can’t change the way a brain is designed—but adjusting the systems can unlock the huge potential the neurodiversity presents.
We spoke recently with Jenny Turner of Human Fabric,
an experienced business advisor and coach who specialises in inclusive, strengths-based leadership that makes neurodiversity a competitive advantage. She has some solid advice for neurodivergent movers and shakers in business or those with neurodiverse teams; if that’s you, keep reading!
Neurodivergence is difference, not disorder
Neurodiversity simply refers to the fact that many human brains are wired differently. The term covers conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, autism, dyspraxia, and others. Some brains process information faster, some see patterns that others miss, some are naturally drawn to creative problem-solving, and others excel at big-picture thinking.
Jenny pointed out that neurodivergent brains may have developed some skills over others. In practice, while a neurodivergent brain offers genuine strengths, it can also present very real challenges in a workplace or any other setting. Recognising and working with both sides of that equation is where the magic happens.
Business ownership and neurodivergence are far from mutually exclusive. In fact, the entrepreneurial mindset (risk-taking, creative thinking, and solving problems on the fly) often overlaps with traits found in ADHD and dyslexia.
Dyslexic thinkers often excel at 3D problem-solving and visualising solutions, while people with ADHD can be highly insightful, quick to connect the dots, and able to thrive in fast-moving environments. For tradespeople, this dynamic thinking is often an asset on the tools, in one-on-one communication, and in big-picture thinking. However, the flipside of this can come in the form of difficulty with administration, time management, and paperwork.
Focusing on everyone’s strengths is more productive
For a business owner, manager, or anyone navigating neurodivergence in the workplace, it is easy to notice and focus on the difficulties. One of Jenny’s key tips is to actually stop and identify your strengths!
She recommends:
Reading about your neurotype (e.g. ADHD, dyslexia) to discover common strengths you might not realise you have.
Noticing the things you do effortlessly that others struggle with—that’s often a hidden talent.
Exploring assessments such as the VIA Character Strengths and Clifton Strengths Finder
Working with a coach to learn how to amplify your strengths and uncover any unhelpful beliefs, habits, or ways of working that might be holding you back.
Knowing what you are good at is very powerful, and so is acknowledging your areas of struggle! Even if you’re not neurodivergent yourself, understanding brain differences can inform your leadership and help to develop the bigger picture of roles and responsibilities within your team.
Jenny’s biggest tip for managing team members in a way that harnesses neurodiversity? Ask how your people work best without making assumptions or asking for a diagnosis. From there, you can make small changes to work with their strengths rather than against them.
Simple adjustments might include:
Providing written bullet points after verbal instructions.
Offering a quieter workspace or noise-cancelling headphones for desk-based activities..
Structuring roles around individual strengths instead of forcing everyone into the same mould.
Engaged, happy business owners, managers, and employees are more effective and more productive. Harnessing—where possible—the unique powers that your people offer is an investment in success.
Practical strategies can help with executive function
For many business owners, the real stress isn’t the physical work; it’s keeping up with the operational side. Jenny says a lot of this comes down to executive function skills. These can include things like starting tasks, organising, prioritising, and following through.
There are a few helpful, simple strategies that you can use to overcome these challenges:
Visual planning
Don’t keep it all in your head! When your to-do list is stuck inside your brain, it can feel bigger than it really is. Use a whiteboard, planner, or digital tool to map out priorities. Visual layouts work well for many different brain types. Jenny says that she likes to use physical visual aids, because digital ones may end up lost in a sea of tabs. You can figure out what works best for you.
Daily “top three” priorities
At the start of each day, or at the beginning of your designated time for admin, extract from your to-do list the three most important tasks you need to complete - and write these down separately. Keep them easily visible through the day so they don’t get lost. Having this reminder can help pull focus back to tasks at hand.
You may find that you need a list of five things rather than three. All of these strategies can adapt to your needs and preferences. However, make sure this is not just another to-do list—it’s a careful prioritisation of today’s key tasks so you can make sure you get the most important ones done before side quests pull your attention away.
INCUP activation
Often, just getting started is the hardest part when your brain is working against you! IF this is the case, try the INCUP method:
Interest - pair the task with something enjoyable, like music or a podcast.
Novelty – change your location or approach (e.g. do your GST return at a café rather than in the office).
Challenge – set yourself a mini challenge to motivate (e.g. “Respond to 10 emails in 30 minutes”).
Urgency – create accountability by telling someone you’ll send them progress or show them the results at a certain time.
Purpose – connect the task to a bigger goal by connecting with the why behind it (“Getting this reconciliation done will make next month’s accounting much easier”).
Find which of these work for you and take advantage. There’s no shame in needing a little extra push to get something done. If it works, it works!
Outsource what drains you
In a small trades business, you are unlikely to have the resources to pass off all the tasks that challenge you. Sometimes it is what it is! However, there are resources like Released available: flexible business administration support that takes specific jobs off your plate so you can prioritise the work that suits your brain better. Accountants, bookkeepers, coaches, HR specialists—all of these can help you to free up your brain a bit and spend time on your strengths.
Expert support
If there’s one thing we think that neurodivergent business owners and leaders should know, it’s that you’re not alone and there is help available! Generic business coaching doesn’t work for everyone; Human Fabric provides targeted coaching informed by rich experience in business (Jenny even holds a Masters in Business Administration!), the latest research into neurodiversity in the workplace, a globally recognised neurodiversity coaching accreditation, and lived experience with neurodiversity.
Jenny and her team work with both individuals and managers through:
One-on-one coaching: for business owners or employees wanting to understand themselves and work more effectively.
Neurodiversity awareness workshops: short sessions for teams to understand strengths and challenges, and how to work effectively with all types of brains.
Neuroinclusive leadership training: for managers wanting practical approaches to support a diverse team.
Neurodiversity-friendly business advisory: for neurodivergent business owners looking for advice on leadership and operational systems
You can find out more or book a free discovery call at humanfabric.co.nz.
At Released, we love our neurodiverse client base and are proud to support so many creative, entrepreneurial and hardworking business owners. We’re happy to work with you to create systems that work with your brain, not against it!
Book a chat to talk it through.
