How neurodiversity drives value at the intersection of talent and technology

Podcast host Hiren Shukla, EY Global and Americas Neuro-Diverse Center of Excellence Leader, welcomes Robert D. Austin, Professor of Information Systems and Innovation at Ivey Business School; Rick Wright, Senior Vice President of Customer Outcomes at ServiceNow; and Angelina Herrera, Vice President of Equity & Inclusion Programs at ServiceNow, to discuss the issue of neurodiversity and businesses’ pressing need to identify new sources of talent to drive transformation, innovation and sustainable growth.

Neurodiversity describes the rich tapestry of human thought patterns, behavioral traits and brain functions that people exhibit throughout society.

The science of neurodiversity states that these variations are not only “normal” but also can be viewed as strengths, enabling individuals to have new and often unique perspectives, which can disrupt established ways of thinking, drive innovation and generate multi-dimensional value.

As organizations become more data-driven and connected, there is a growing need for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) talent. Moreover, the overall workforce is shrinking.

Employees with autism spectrum disorder and dyslexia, however, are often technologically inclined and detail-orientated. They also often possess exemplary math, pattern recognition and memory skills, to name but a few. However, only 16% of autistic individuals are in full-time employment according to the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute.

Our thought leaders explore the extent to which forward-thinking corporations are adjusting their approach to neurodiversity so they can welcome the rich skills and unique perspectives neurodivergent individuals contribute.

Key takeaways 

• We're witnessing fundamental shifts in the way diversity, equity and inclusion are being aligned to the corporate strategic agenda.
• Neurodiversity programs are building new and important competitive capabilities for the companies operating them.
• For companies to innovate and drive transformation, they must bring diverse ways of thinking to the table.
• A combination of dedicated programs, workforce strategy and partnerships can accelerate the journey to a neurodivergent talent pool.

For your convenience, a full text transcript of this podcast is also available. Read the transcript.