Episode 05: Neurodivergence can be a superpower.
FIND PROBLEM PERFORMERS WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS
EPISODE GUEST: NICKOLETT HOCKING, HRUPRISE CO-FOUNDER; GLOBAL HEAD OF PEOPLE AT DESIGNIT
“Everybody should find their superpower. You are made unique for a reason,” says Nickolett Hocking, Co-Founder of HRuprise. Nickolett has been in HR for over 15 years, and is committed to shaking up expectations by staying curious, questioning norms, and educating herself on how to create optimal conditions for people to succeed.
Driven by a passion for mindfulness and introspection, Nickolett believes that mental health is just as important (if not more important) than physical health. In today’s episode, she discusses her experience receiving an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood and what this diagnosis has meant for her as an employee. She describes some of the strategies that employers can use to better accommodate neurodivergent employees, and challenges the stigmas around ADHD that are still commonplace in the workplace. Nickolett explains that by understanding how ADHD manifests in her life, she has been able to better advocate for what she and others need from employers.
Tune in to this week’s episode of Problem Performers to hear Nickolett discuss how to reframe what makes you different as your superpower. Learn how to seek help, ask thoughtful questions, and destigmatize your own thinking about neurodivergence and mental health.
QUOTES
“For women, it is more common to be diagnosed [with neurodivergence] as an adult than it is as a child. And the reason for that is, with men or boys, they tend to show ADHD symptoms more externally… Where for females...we internalize it. We think, ‘Okay, how can we fix this? How do we show up differently?...Why do I have to work so much harder? It looks so easy for someone else.’ Not knowing that our brain is actually different. The true brain chemistry is different. Without understanding that, we're just going down this path of, ‘Okay, I'm different. I have to work harder. I have to hide it.’” (18:51-20:02)
“Neurodiverse is this idea that it's normal and acceptable for people to have brains that function differently.” (21:26-21:32)
“One of the things that often manifests with women as adults with ADHD is the lack of self-compassion... You're able to give it away freely to everyone else, but to have that for you is incredibly hard.” (28:48-29:17)
“I am a huge proponent of therapy. I think your mental health is just as important, if not more, than your physical health. So I will scream from the rooftops that everybody should do therapy. There is no stigma around it. Take care of your mind.” (32:49-33:04)
“Everybody should find their superpower. Regardless of a diagnosis or not...you are on this planet for a reason. You are made unique for a reason. How do you find what you're good at and be in your flow?” (33:52-34:06)
“Any neurodivergent diagnosis does not look the same for everyone. So whatever that is, find experts that are familiar with your diagnosis... And get really curious. Get really curious about seeking help, asking questions. You don't have to do it alone.” (36:14-36:49)
“From an employer perspective, I would say educate yourself on what being neurodivergent is. Because I guarantee you, there's a large part of your population that is neurodivergent that you don't know about.” (37:34-37:46)
LINKS
Email Nickolett.
Connect with Nickolett on LinkedIn.
Connect with your own confidential HR coach at www.HRuprise.com.
Some of Nickolett’s favorite resources for self-work you can do to understand ADHD and identify your own superpowers:
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
TRANSCRIPT
COMING SOON!