What does it mean to be neurodivergent?
People that have a different mental or neurological function than what is typically considered normal are defined as neurodivergent, according to Oxford Languages. Such people experience, interpret, and interact with the world differently; this is a result of certain neurological conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), dyslexia, and ADHD (Zapier). They have different strengths and challenges compared to people whose brains are neurotypical. While it can be a hindrance to people’s ability to learn and work in our society, some people embrace their neurodivergence as a blessing.
In what kind of ways can people be neurodivergent?
There is no singular way to be neurodivergent, just as there is no singular way to be human! Folks who identify this way typically have one or more of the following conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Down syndrome, bipolar disorder, intellectual disabilities, OCD, social anxiety, Tourette syndrome, and problems with math, writing, reading, and coordination, to name a few (Cleveland Clinic). No matter what the condition, neurodivergent people have to learn how to balance on a tightrope, so to speak, in order to meet neurotypical standards in work and other settings.
What struggles can neurodivergent people have with work and tasks?
Speaking of meeting expectations, neurodivergent people often have trouble fitting into society’s neurotypical standards, like prioritizing work or managing time. It often doesn’t make sense in their brains. One person said, “It’s like trying to screw in a light bulb with different wiring and you don’t know the wattage. The light bulb might have enough power to light the lamp… or it can have too much, blow the fuse, and start an electrical fire.
You have the brain you have, and it’s mostly great until it’s not” (Zaiper). Evidently, many neurodivergent people report feeling overwhelmed by having many decisions to make/ tasks to complete. They simply have more barriers when it comes to work and tasks.
For example, many people who are neurodivergent have trouble with social situations; this can make it difficult to find employment because they struggle during job interviews. Still, if the hiring process emphasizes abilities, such as a skills test, they often leave a better impression. Neurodivergent peoples’ attention to detail often makes them great accountants or similar jobs, because they can easily process data that might seem more boring to others (Cleveland Clinic).
Another example is that noisy environments might have a negative effect on neurodivergent people’s work performance. Therefore, a busy office can feel overwhelming. In many cases, noise-canceling headphones can give them peace and quiet to focus intensely on their work. Overcoming their disability is much easier with proper accommodation. There are many tools and pathways that can help neurodivergent people succeed in a system that’s generally more challenging for them (Cleveland Clinic).
Many people find ways to use their different minds to their advantage. Someone who has dyslexia can’t process written language like everyone else, but they often have a special talent for understanding 3D objects; they might succeed more in fields like engineering or graphic design, or art. It’s all about finding the right tools and methods that work best with an individual’s brain wiring. Neurodivergent people can thrive and even surpass their peers in work settings when given the right resources.
Why would a neurodivergent person benefit from automating pieces of their work?
A recent topic of debate and conversation is the automation of business processes and labor: a result of the automation of society in general. For some people, automating a task is the best way for them and the business to thrive. Neurodivergent people can benefit from automation because it reduces the amount of app-switching required. Everyone is more likely to miss something important when they have to change apps and platforms often. Likewise, it can be even more difficult for neurodivergent individuals. Automating tasks can help data flow between multiple points more accurately and quickly.
IBM expands on the definition of workflow automation: “It optimizes processes by replacing manual tasks with software that executes all or part of a process.” In today’s world, this is usually achieved by software including low-code, drag-and-drop functions, and adoption-friendly UIs.
If a task is boring, repetitive, or complex, especially at the start, neurodivergent people will most likely feel uninterested. However, if that task can be automated, it works out better for everyone. “Neurodivergent people experience differences in executive function—cognitive skills that allow humans to plan, focus, meet demands, remember instructions, juggle tasks, and show self-control” (Zapier). The automation of tedious labor can be very helpful to neurodivergent people in particular.
A recurring task that someone often forgets is another instance in which automation can be a gift. Let’s say that a task must be completed every day or on a schedule; automation will greatly reduce stress by reducing the number of things someone has to remember or complete on a tough day. Along those lines, neurodivergent people in the workplace might excel at times that require adaptability but have difficulty sticking to a traditional daily structure or routine (Zapier).
Overall, automation reduces the frequency of human errors and takes the pressure off of employees. Many businesses still practice repetitive, time-consuming tasks, such as manual data entry. IBM advises that if your organization has outdated, manual processes, it will not have the same capacity to scale sustainably with big goals. By integrating automation, businesses improve their ability to grow and scale. Plus, it can help neurodivergent people feel more at ease, focused, and able to perform their jobs to their best ability.
To recap, neurodivergent people can greatly benefit from automating their work. It reduces the amount of time and effort that a task or process might take, it automatically digitizes documents, it streamlines task management, and it decreases errors from manual entries or oversights. This benefits neurodivergent workers and businesses, too. All businesses that have neurodivergent employees should seriously consider the ways in which automation may increase their productivity, motivation, and quality of life.
What strategies and tools can they employ?
Fortunately, many strategies and tools are available nowadays to help neurodivergent people succeed at their jobs. One strategy that the author at Zapier personally recommends is to track issues as they arise. He says, “When I’m in a state of hyper fixation, my self-awareness goes out the window. That’s great when I need to finish a project, but not so much when I’m teetering towards an ADHD-induced meltdown without realizing it.” Neurodivergent people especially should pay attention to their mental state and inner voice in order to not get overwhelmed.
Another strategy is to “follow the dopamine,” and recognize triggers. Neurotypical people might not realize that some neurological conditions manifest differences in their dopamine production. Society often focuses on the bad, but following the dopamine is important. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that affects motivation, reward, and other executive functions of the brain, according to Zapier. To do this, neurodivergent people should always try to put themselves in positions and jobs in which they can shine. It’s best when their brains are appreciated for what they are capable of, instead of criticism and honing in on what they are lacking. Find out where you belong and feel best.
Variety is another component that makes a huge difference in a neurodivergent person’s work performance and life satisfaction, so businesses and individuals should seek more of it if it’s beneficial. Novelty and situations that require adaptability are often neurodivergent peoples’ cup of tea. The key is finding a job or which will provide this.
Choosing the correct automation tool is also very important for success. Nowadays, many automation tools often include artificial intelligence (AI), although this is not synonymous with effective automated workflows. Another way to address workflow inefficiencies and provide easier collaboration are rule-based logic programs (IBM).
What are the different kinds of applications of automation in different industries?
In today’s business world, a myriad of industries use and benefit from the use of workflow automation. From accounting to digital marketing to manufacturing, every modern business should be looking into how automation can skyrocket their productivity and help them scale to new heights.
Furthermore, Uptimize outlines some different industry automation cases. They include:
- Marketing: There are so many uses for automation in marketing that many companies are already using it. Communication with customers is a large portion of marketing’s goal, so ensuring that communication happens at the exact perfect time is surprisingly effective. Also, Marketing Operations Processes (MOPS) can be optimized by the automation of marketing campaigns, marketing analysis, and metric measuring.
- Sales: Another extremely useful industry that can use automation. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software can make the sales team’s lives so much better. It smoothes over the frustrating or easy-to-forget parts of customer communication, departmental and interdepartmental collaboration, and form completion. For example, when a customer signs a document or enters information, a CRM can automatically update internal data and send notifications. It’s much less work for the salespeople, so they can be out making more sales.
- Finance: Automation increases the accuracy and consistency of payments. It is more accurate in its predictions and revenue collections. Also, automation adds a stronger moderation of people and if they are compliant with the requirements. We’ll dive deeper into this later in this section.
- Manufacturing: Workflow automation offsets shifts in supply and business structures. It reduces redundancies and improves quality-control errors. Automating workflows specifically cut down purchase, budget, and supply chain approval and cycle times. Manufacturing companies can automate workflows in purchase requests, contract management interactions and go-to-market product development projects. All of these factors improve businesses’ profits and reputations.
- Information security: IT automation software often has faster responsiveness when mitigating security threats. Incident report automation and integration with existing security tools and guidelines can help IT better manage hybrid and cloud ecosystems. To improve their security, companies can also automate workflows to monitor cyber threats.
Consequently, these are the most common industries in which automation is being utilized today, albeit not the only ones. However, finance and digital marketing seem to be major contenders for the place in which automation most exponentially helps.
In order to enhance and automate your company’s digital marketing, solutions such as Hootsuite, BOMA, and HubSpot are great choices. They facilitate the campaigns you send out, whether on all or a selection of your digital channels and social media platforms. This helps keep your business in the front of prospects’ minds and high in search rankings. Additionally, automation can improve client communications and add value. According to GoCardless, “Many accounting platforms and workflow tools now offer real-time numbers, reporting, and analytics, as well as ‘in-app communication.’” One app is Receipt Bank; it has instant messaging so your business can answer customers’ questions more quickly. On the other hand, Silverfin’s practice workflow solution allows the user to flag queries and directly interact with clients on their platform.
We will use the example of accounting, but these tools often overlap in where they may be helpful. For example, if an accountant wants to automate their bookkeeping with smart scanning, apps such as Receipt Bank, AutoEntry, and Datamolino automate the manual input of receipts and invoices. “Receipt Bank estimates that using optical character recognition (OCR) and automated bookkeeping saves firms 1 hour per client per week, improving productivity and allowing you to potentially increase the number of clients that each team member can service” (GoCardless).
GoCardless recommends automating cash collection through its own platform. In a survey they held, 42% of the firms used Direct Debt to collect client fees. GoCardless helps businesses cut down on manual processes, provides extra cash for additional investment in the business, and provides a regular income from fees.
Chaser is another way that accountants or any business may automate their credit control. Average debtor days are over 29 days, so using Chaser’s credit control app will help track down debtors and automate the emails to be sent out to late-paying clients. Therefore, the business could save on average 1-2 hours per week spent chasing debt. (GoCardless).
If an accountant wants to truly succeed, building a custom app stack around their accounting platform is a good step. Using tech and automation efficiency to its highest potential in your specific case might look like you choosing the right software, the most relevant plug-in apps, and the best cloud solutions integrated into the core platform. “We’ve got all these really good software apps, like Xero, Receipt Bank, GoCardless, Chaser, and Spotlight, that help us add more value for clients” (GoCardless).
Who are successful founders who are neurodivergent?
Many successful business founders and leaders have emerged over the years who happen to be neurodivergent. One famous example is Charles Schwab. The founder of the famous investment services provider happens to be dyslexic; this fact, he was not aware of until he was forty years old. He speaks about how dyslexia is both a challenge and a strength. While it would take Schwab twice as long to read a book about a subject that he’s not familiar with, he also has a better capability to visualize and conceptualize than others. (Uptimize)
Another successful businessman who has dyslexia (as well as ADHD) is Richard Branson, Virgin Airline Founder, and billionaire. Perhaps the business icon of our times, he created a multi-billion dollar empire that spans industries like travel, media, and music. He has credited his success to ADHD and dyslexia, because it caused him to learn how to delegate, focus on his skills, and it gave him the opportunity to work with amazing people. (Uptimize)
Sharks in the water! Barbara Corcoran is a Shark Tank Investor and the Founder of the Corcoran Group. Just like anyone with dyslexia, she struggled in school. When she finished, she flipped a loan of $1,000 into a $5 billion real estate empire, using many of her dyslexic attributes. “It made me more creative, more social, and more competitive,” she told Entrepreneur magazine. Barbara had so much trouble in an unsympathetic educational system that she felt insecure her whole life. Therefore, she now tries to prove that she can measure up. (Uptimize) This is just one way that not having the correct tools as a young neurodivergent person can affect their self-esteem forever, regardless of their success.
David Neeleman, founder of JetBlue airlines and CEO of Azul, is another individual who has ADHD. He could be considered the poster boy for ADHD entrepreneurship; he was the main subject of a powerful Forbes article called “ADHD: The Entrepreneur’s Superpower.” David has accredited much of his highly successful business journey with the benefits of his condition. He can still easily decode complicated facts and create simple solutions. “ I can look out on an industry with all kinds of problems and say, ‘How can I do this better?’ My ADD brain naturally searches for better ways of doing things,” he said. These “superpowers” can often be used to a neurodivergent person’s advantage. (Uptimize)
It is very possible to be neurodivergent and have success in this world, although the odds are stacked against you. Neurodivergent conditions include ASD, dyslexia, ADHD, and bipolar disorder, to name a few. These people interact with and interpret the world differently than others, and they often have struggles in school and social situations. However, given the right diagnosis, tools, strategies, and understanding of their condition, these people can thrive better than ever before in history.
