Tania Martin: EY UKI’s Neuro-Diverse Centre of Excellence Leader

Tania Martin, EY UKI’s Neuro-Diverse Centre of Excellence Leader, shares her journey and the work being done to promote neurodiversity and neuroinclusion in the workplace. The conversation covers the shift from autism at work to neuro-inclusive programs, the evolution of neurodiverse centers of excellence, and the importance of breaking down barriers to entry and supporting hidden neurodivergent individuals. Tania also discusses the changes made to the recruitment process, the impact of her ADHD diagnosis on her personal and professional life, and the need for self-acceptance and self-kindness. The conversation concludes with insights into the recruitment process and opportunities for improvement. Takeaways The shift from autism programs to neuro-inclusive programs is essential to support a broader range of neurodivergent individuals in the workplace. Breaking down barriers to entry and supporting hidden neurodivergent individuals are crucial aspects of neurodiversity initiatives. The recruitment process should be adapted to be more inclusive and accessible, with a focus on building psychological safety for neurodivergent candidates. Self-acceptance and self-kindness are important for individuals with neurodivergent conditions, and organisations should create an environment that supports and values neurodiversity. The way content is presented and the partners chosen can greatly impact the success of neurodiversity recruitment efforts. Sensitivity and representation are crucial to avoid marginalisation and stigmatisation. Learning from D&I leaders and their experiences can provide valuable insights for neuroinclusive recruitment. Consistency and budget investment are necessary to achieve long-term success in neurodiversity initiatives. Educating others and promoting widespread understanding of neurodiversity can lead to a greater impact. Starting small, testing, and piloting initiatives can be an effective approach to implementing neurodiversity recruitment strategies. Neuro-inclusion is not only important for business performance but also for our social responsibility to create a better future for all. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:05 Shifting from Autism Programs to Neuro-Inclusive Programs 03:30 Positive Shift in Neurodiversity Approach 04:27 Evolution of Neurodiverse Centers of Excellence 05:25 Breaking Down Barriers to Entry and Hidden Neurodivergent Individuals 06:24 Changing the Recruitment Process 07:20 Investment in Talent Acquisition and Neurodiversity 09:01 Anti-Recruitment Process and Innovation 10:56 Recognition and External Validation 11:54 Personal Journey and Understanding of ADHD 12:39 Challenges and Opportunities in Career 17:05 Impact of Diagnosis on Self-Acceptance and Self-Kindness 20:58 Journey to Neurodiversity Centre of Excellence 32:07 Recruitment Process and Building Psychological Safety 48:19 Learnings and Opportunities for Improvement 51:57 The Importance of Content Presentation 52:27 The Impact of Partner Selection 53:08 Sensitivity and Representation 54:09 Learning from D&I Leaders 55:06 Consistency and Budget Investment 56:07 Educating Others for Greater Impact 57:00 Advice for Starting the Journey 59:36 The Social Responsibility of Neuro-Inclusion Follow Tania here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniafmartin/ Learn more about EY NCOE here: https://www.ey.com/en_uk/news/2021/07/ey-launches-first-neuro-diverse-centre-of-excellence-in-the-uk-to-boost-client-innovation This episode is supercharged by Dynamis Group https://dynamisgroup.com/ Love the intro music... it's from a past guest High Contrast: Music is Everything