Intro from Great Minds Board sponsor Will Davis
At Great Minds, Medialab’s new Community for neurodivergent team members and allies, we believe that embracing different ways of thinking isn’t just important, it’s essential to doing the right thing and improving business results. That’s why we’re proud to celebrate Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a time to recognise and amplify the voices of those who see and experience the world in unique ways.
To mark this important week we’re sharing four powerful thought pieces from members of our Community. Each of them offers a personal perspective on neurodivergence, its challenges, its strengths, and the ways it shapes their lives and careers. These stories remind us that celebrating neurodiversity isn’t just about awareness; it’s about action, understanding, and embracing the brilliance of different minds.
Welcome to Neurodiversity Celebration Week at Medialab. Let’s continue learning from one another and ensuring that every mind—every great mind has the space to thrive.
Name: Anja Cooper
Perspective: Thriving as a Neurodiverse Professional
Being neurodiverse in the workplace means that I experience and interact with the world in ways that may differ from my peers – but these differences are also my strengths. My neurodivergence shapes the way I think, work and contribute. I thrive in environments where I can apply my problem-solving skills, focus deeply on tasks, and bring a level of attention to detail that benefits my team. I tend to work well ahead of deadlines, as structure and predictability help me feel prepared and perform at my best. Similarly, I appreciate receiving tasks with sufficient lead time, allowing me to process and plan effectively.
Social interactions can be a little trickier for me. I may not always initiate conversations, not because I’m disinterested, but because it can feel overwhelming or uncertain. If you engage me, though, you’ll likely find that I’m thoughtful and eager to contribute. Creating workplaces that embrace neurodiversity isn’t about expecting everyone to communicate or work in the same way – it’s about making space for different approaches and recognising the value they bring. One simple yet powerful way to support neurodiverse colleagues is to be open, curious and willing to meet us halfway in communication and collaboration.
For me, inclusion means having the space to work in ways that align with my strengths while feeling supported in areas that may be more challenging. It means recognising that neurodiversity isn’t a limitation – it’s a different way of thinking, one that can drive innovation, efficiency and fresh perspectives. With understanding and small adjustments, workplaces can empower neurodiverse employees to do their best work, not by changing who we are, but by embracing what makes us unique.
Name: Adelphi Eden
Perspective: Breaking the Mind Cycles
Until the launch of the Great Minds Community, I hadn’t necessarily considered myself as a neurodiverse employee. Navigating the loops and cycles of OCD was just a part of my BAU. Outwardly, this has manifested as a meticulous attention-to-detail, aesthetically pleasing decks and a colour-coded Outlook calendar – all of which would be easy to label as perfectionism. Working in media, we are perhaps more familiar than most with the trends that have fed into this perception. Whether we hear OCD and think of Khloe Kardashian or ‘Obsessive Christmas Disorder’, my reality of being neurodiverse in the workplace is very different. Rather than being driven by the desire to ‘do the right thing’, it stems from the need to follow particular routines or processes in order to feel safe, often twisting positive attributes and values at a detriment to the individual’s mental health.
Part of taking ownership of the way my mind works has meant reflecting on why I do the work I do and what motivates me to succeed. By reclaiming my values, I’ve been able to create a safe environment to thrive in the workplace that is founded upon wanting to do good work for my clients rather than my mind’s inability to process uncertainty and doubt. Optimising both client campaigns and internal ways of working has become a place where I do some of my best work, with small collaboration sessions helping to break some of my mind’s cycles. When it comes to creating an inclusive work environment, making time and space to listen to different perspectives is infinitely valuable. As we do this, we build a culture that isn’t just based in media perceptions but rather rooted in authentic experiences.
Name: Iyanna Royall
Perspective: Embracing the differences
After being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood, I initially feared how this would impact my career and workplace experience. Despite advice from multiple people to keep it hidden, I chose to be open about my diagnosis, recognising that this might sometimes expose me to misconceptions or stereotypes.
ADHD strongly influences how I approach work, making me thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments that keep me engaged and stimulated. I work best when given autonomy and flexibility, allowing me to tackle tasks in my own way rather than following rigid, routine processes. My mind is always active, and I find excitement in problem-solving and generating innovative ideas. However, I also face challenges, such as procrastination, organization difficulties, ADHD-related listening struggles, and hyper-focusing on lower-priority tasks. To navigate these, I rely on tools like To-Do lists, task prioritization, noise-cancelling headphones to block out distractions, and strategies that reinforce accountability.
At times, I encounter executive dysfunction, leading to moments of self-doubt where I feel as though my different way of thinking holds me back or that I can’t keep up with neurotypical colleagues. However, rather than dwelling on what I can’t change, I focus on embracing the unique strengths that my ADHD brings to the workplace.
I hope that Great Minds fosters greater awareness of neurodivergence within the company, encouraging open and stigma-free discussions. We want to create an environment where neurodivergent employees feel comfortable sharing their experiences and requesting the accommodations they need.
Name: Alex Gavela
Perspective: Fitting in? Never quite did that
I’ve never exactly fit in. Outwardly, that’s pretty obvious (black-on-black aesthetic, big boots that are more ‘otherworldly’ than ‘office-friendly’). But that’s just the surface-level giveaway. The real misfit energy? That’s in my brain.
It doesn’t follow the standard roadmap. While others might work in straight lines, mine takes detours, scenic routes, and the occasional completely unplanned off-road adventure. Brilliant ideas? Absolutely. Timely? Not always. There I am, trying to focus, and my brain chimes in with, “Hey, how about a fully-fledged multi-platform campaign for a client you don’t even work with?” Great. Thanks. Super helpful.
The hurdles? They’re real. The morning commute? Sensory hellscape. Small talk? An exhausting game of social chess. Eye contact? Sometimes possible, sometimes an existential crisis. And then there’s the absolute inability to just get on with it when a task feels wrong or unnecessary. If my brain doesn’t see the point, it simply won’t engage. No amount of “just do it” will change that.
But here’s the thing: different doesn’t mean worse. It means pattern recognition skills that can dissect data like a forensic scientist. It means spotting problems before they even arise. It means going to extreme lengths to fight injustice because my brain simply cannot tolerate it. And, with a little AI backup, it means finding ways to structure, express, and translate my thoughts so the world can actually keep up.
So no, I don’t fit neatly into the mould. But I’d argue the mould is overrated anyway.
