Volunteer to help develop the Lightsource bp
Neurodiversity Guide for Managers
I'm Elaine Kasket. I'm a coach, psychologist, and trainer who does a lot of work with Lightsource bp. I'm currently working on what I believe will be an extremely helpful resource for the organisation, which is a neurodiversity guide for managers.
What is ‘neurodivergence’?
Neurodivergence refers to a range of differences in brain function, cognition, and behaviour. Some neurotypes are less common in society, so they are called minority neurotypes. These include ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), autism, and dyslexia. Approximately one in seven people has some kind of minority neurotype.
Why are we developing the Neurodiversity Guide for Managers?
In the past we've held stereotyped views of neurodivergence or seen it through a problematic lens. This Neurodiversity Guide takes the perspective that cognitive diversity enriches the workplace. Having different neurotypes within teams can be a powerful asset if leaders and managers take an inclusive, strengths-based approach.
This is why I began developing this guide. In my work both inside and outside of Lightsource bp, I've witnessed the problems that can occur when leaders don't recognise or lean into neurodivergent strengths and ways of working, as well as the great outcomes that result when that understanding is there. My aim was to fill what I see as a gap, which is to concretely, practically help people managers and leaders respond better to neurodivergence in their teams so that the whole organisation functions better.
The guide is being developed in the UK during Phase I, with the intent to roll it out globally in Phase II.
Who can volunteer?
Consultation is extremely important, so I’m asking for your help. In developing this guide further, I need feedback from two places:
Managers at Lightsource bp, at whom this guidance is primarily aimed, and
People at Lightsource bp who are formally identified or who self-identify as neurodivergent.
It might also be that you fit both categories, in that you are a manager who is also a minority neurotype.
What is needed, by when?
I appreciate that your time is precious. If you put yourself forward for this important work, here's what would be required:
You would need to set aside up to three hours to read and absorb the guide and to give your thoughts and feedback on a Google document that you’ll also be sent after you put yourself forward. That document will include focused questions about the guide’s content and form as well as opportunities for free-form responses. You will be sent the draft guide and the link to the Google form, and you would need to return your responses by 10 January 2025.
You might also be invited to participate in a voice-to-voice meeting on Teams in January, so we can have a deeper discussion about your impressions and what you think might improve the guide. While I'd very happily invite everyone to this, in practice we might have more limited time and hence will have to go with a representative sample. This would be in mid-January 2025, likely week commencing 13 January 2025.
What do I need to do if I want to volunteer?
Email Alice Walker in HR by clicking the link below or replying to the email that contained the link to this page.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and care in considering this, and if you can participate, I would be extremely grateful. I couldn’t take this forward without the substantive input of managers and neurodivergent individuals at Lightsource bp.
Elaine K.