The Neurodiversity Edge: The Essential Guide to Embracing Autism, Adhd, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Differences for Any Organization - Hardcover

by Maureen Dunne (Author)

National Bestseller

A Porchlight Book Company Top New Release

As seen on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

"An interesting read for anybody curious about the human story and our development in society."
--Irish Tech News

"Groundbreaking guide...innovative and accessible."
--SanFrancisco Book Review

In The Neurodiversity Edge, renowned Oxford-trained cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, and business leader, Dr. Maureen Dunne presents a pioneering framework to harnessing the power of neurodiversity to navigate the most important human resources revolution in the modern era.

Did you know that an estimated 1 in 5 people are "neurodivergent"--have a mind that works differently, such as the autistic, ADHDers, the dyslexic, synesthetes, and other unique neurotypes--and that the vast majority are motivated, capable, and unemployed?

This indispensable guide is based on more than two decades of immersive cognitive science research, case studies, stories from neurodivergent voices, in-the-trenches work with hundreds of organizations from start-ups to global Fortune 500 titans, and Dr. Dunne's own lived experiences as a neurodivergent employer, entrepreneur, board member, and CEO. Too many unique minds and perspectives on the sidelines, and too many organizations beset by groupthink, innovation-stagnation, and a lack of access to qualified new candidates. The Neurodiversity Edge takes you all the way from why to what and to how, delivering practical insights that build on a new foundational framework:

• Cultivate a values-driven approach to building a culture of sustained authentic inclusion where everyone can thrive
• How to improve the interview process to avoid missing game-changing talent
• Develop a hybrid office protocol that works for everyone and a support infrastructure that aligns with universal design principles
• Discover why Google's Project Aristotle found that innovation and performance hinge on psychological safety
• Uncover and eliminate the destructive influence of unconscious cognitive biases
• Take a graphic tour into the wonders of the human mind
• Understand unique problem-solving abilities such as lateral thinking, visual-spatial thinking, multisensory thinking, leaps of creative insight, hyperfocus, and many more
• How to articulate and implement organizational goals and measure progress toward them

The Neurodiversity Edge is an essential guide for executives, board directors, human resources professionals, managers, recruiters, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, allies, educators, nonprofit leaders, and anyone with an interest in better understanding neurodiversity, authentic neuroinclusion, and the human mind.

Front Jacket

The Neurodiversity Edge introduces a transformative framework for addressing the most important human resources opportunity of the 21st century.

From renowned Oxford-trained cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, and neurodivergent business leader, Dr. Maureen Dunne, this trailblazing guide presents a groundbreaking new approach for bridging the staggering divide between organizations starved for motivated workers and the enormous untapped talent pool defined by cognitive differences--the 15-20% of the global population comprised of the autistic, ADHDers, the dyslexic, synesthetes, the dyspraxic, and others with neurological differences.

Attempts to implement neuroinclusion at scale have overwhelmingly failed at the hands of overgeneralized "check the box" strategies that dive no deeper than superficial accommodation. Dr. Dunne exposes this fundamental misunderstanding of the problem and why outcomes range from uninspiring to disastrous for organizations while still failing to serve the legions of underemployed neurodivergent jobseekers with dignity, economic opportunity, and authentic inclusion.

The Neurodiversity Edge challenges this flawed paradigm and unveils a revolutionary new framework. The result is a bold vision that reframes the problem and charts a new values-driven approach leveraging universal design principles centered on cognitive diversity as an essential driver of innovation, groupthink immunity, team performance, motivation, and loyalty.

Weaving practical strategies with vivid real-world examples, Dr. Dunne leverages more than two decades of immersive cognitive science research, case studies, stories from neurodivergent voices, in-the-trenches work with hundreds of organizations from start-ups to global Fortune 500 titans, and her own lived experience as a neurodivergent employer, entrepreneur, board member, and CEO.

Drawing on psychology, economics, business management, philosophy, and organizational behavior, The Neurodiversity Edge offers a practical roadmap to building an organizational culture fundamentally aligned with authentic neuroinclusion rooted in a clear and compelling case that cognitive diversity--and lateral nonlinear traits--will become an unambiguous source of competitive edge as organizations navigate the coming age of technological transformation ahead.

This book will earn its place on the bookshelves of executives, organizational leaders, board directors, human resource professionals, recruiters, managers, educators, allies, and anyone with an interest in better understanding neurodiversity, authentic neuroinclusion, the human mind, and the role neuroinclusion stands to play in the age of artificial intelligence.

Back Jacket

PRAISE FOR THE NEURODIVERSITY EDGE

"Skillfully written and expertly explained, yet practical every step of the way. A must for businesses, healthcare workers, recruiters, and anyone seeking a truly fresh perspective on cognitive diversity and the singular value proposition of authentic neuroinclusion."
--Denise Brodey, Senior Contributor, Forbes

"This is the right book at precisely the right time."
--Therese Fitzpatrick, PhD, Senior Vice President, Kaufman Hall

"Maureen Dunne dismantles the stereotypes that surround neurodivergent people and makes a powerful business case for true inclusion."
-- Caroline Grossman, Executive Director, Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business

"An epiphany. It will open your eyes to the most underappreciated human resources opportunity of our time. A tour de force bursting with wit, humor, and rare insight while establishing a coherent framework of actionable strategies."
--Christopher Kennedy, PhD, Senior Economist, U.S. Department of State

"An original and inspiring game-changer for neurodiversity employment today. It is a book that speaks both to members of the neurodiverse community and to employers who will hire them."
--Michael Bernick, Former Director, California State Labor Department

"An absolute must-read for leaders looking to future-proof their organizations for the coming paradigm."
--Gustaf Nordbäck, Former CEO, Financial Times and IE Business School Joint Venture

"The Neurodiversity Edge collects Dr. Dunne's over 20 years of research, case studies and interviews to provide a guide for embracing neurological differences."
--Inside Higher Ed

Author Biography

DR. MAUREEN DUNNE is a cognitive scientist, neurodiversity expert, global keynote speaker, board director, and business leader helping organizations build thriving cultures for more than two decades. She has served as a Senior Advisor to some of the world's top corporate brands, Fortune 500 companies, scaleups, higher education institutions, venture capital funds, and government officials. A member of the neurodiversity community and a Rhodes Scholar, her work has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, MIT Sloan Management Review, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Entrepreneur, DiversityQ, UNLEASH, and Inside Higher Ed.