{"id":86765,"date":"2025-07-28T10:47:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T15:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/?p=86765"},"modified":"2025-05-15T14:57:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T19:57:55","slug":"what-autistic-people-can-teach-about-leadership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/what-autistic-people-can-teach-about-leadership\/","title":{"rendered":"What Autistic Individuals Can Teach Us About Great Leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Leadership isn\u2019t one-size-fits-all. Still, those who don\u2019t fit the conventional mold of what leadership is supposed to look like often find themselves sidelined in the leadership conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many autistic people, this has been their experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But neurodivergent folk, including autistic people, are known to be some of the most powerful and innovative thinkers. And according to Julie Landry, PsyD, board-certified clinical psychologist and co-founder of NeuroSpark Health<\/a>, there is \u201cenormous untapped potential there\u201d for businesses who want to thrive in the fast-paced modern world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the right understanding and support, autistic people can emerge as innovative, inspiring and revolutionary leaders.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\"Leadership<\/a>\n\n\n\n

How autistic people bring unique strengths to leadership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Research has shown that neurodiverse teams often outpace others in productivity. And it\u2019s no coincidence. Neurodiverse people<\/a>, including autistic people, are wired to think differently, often approaching things like communication, problem-solving and team building in unconventional ways. And when it comes to leadership, out-of-the-box thinking can be a powerful force for driving productivity, collaboration and breakthrough ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Problem-solving through pattern recognition <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many autistic people have the unique ability to spot problems and patterns where others may miss them. Often, they\u2019re able to quickly synthesize issues to find strategic and efficient solutions. For Julie Bjelland<\/a>, founder and CEO of Sensitive Empowerment, Inc., this ability has been key to problem-solving in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a natural ability to see patterns, think systemically and tune into what people need,\u201d she says. \u201cThis allows me to go beyond surface-level challenges and address the root causes. I\u2019m always looking at how a space’s emotional, structural and sensory aspects interact, so I can build supportive environments where people feel held with care and compassion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veronica Shelton, co-founder of Oak Theory<\/a> who was diagnosed autistic in the second grade, also attributes much of her leadership success to this strategic way of thinking. \u201cBecause my brain is wired to break things down, find the root cause and strategize solutions quickly, I don\u2019t get stuck in panic mode,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Shelton, everything fell into place when she realized her autism could be a powerful tool for leadership, rather than a setback. \u201cAutism wasn\u2019t something I had to work against,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was the reason I noticed what others missed. It was the reason I could build systems out of chaos. It was the reason I could lead differently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Direct communication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For many autistic people, conventional styles of communication can be difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shea Belsky<\/a>, a tech lead at HubSpot, recalls struggling with communication early on in his career. \u201cI historically have had issues communicating with people in the past\u2026 being able to express my thoughts in ways that make sense to others,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The difficulty became a driving force in developing clear and effective communication skills. \u201cI had to learn [how to] explain and articulate things in ways that made sense. And because I have had to overemphasize and over-index on that skill, I now think that\u2026 I\u2019m very good at it,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Gen Z and millennials increasingly valuing honesty, transparency and direct communication in their leaders, this skill could be a game-changer for companies focused on building strong teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBecause of my autism, I am conscious and focused on making sure that when I talk to people, that I’m making sense, that they can understand me. And I take a lot of pride and care in doing that,\u201d Belsky says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople rally around me at work, because I am able to articulate and explain things in ways that make sense to them.\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authenticity over image <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Bjelland says that autistic leadership often centers around authenticity<\/a> and purpose over performance. \u201cMany of us are not interested in power or appearances,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, she says autistic leaders tend to be driven by integrity and a desire to make positive changes, stemming in part from living in the shadows of a neurotypical world. \u201cBecause so many of us have had to navigate life feeling different, we\u2019re deeply attuned to the needs of others who are also on the margins,\u201d Bjelland says. \u201cThat awareness helps us build safer, more inclusive spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Landry, says that this quality in a leader can be refreshing. \u201c[When] you\u2019re reporting to a leader who is autistic, [you know] that you\u2019re going to get the truth, that you\u2019re going to get the real picture of things, that you don\u2019t have to try to interpret what somebody means or what the implied message is,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s going to feel great.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading with empathy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One pervasive misconception is that all autistic people lack empathy. This, Landry stresses, could not be further from the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMost autistics are profoundly empathic to such an extent that they have a hard time with it,\u201d she says. \u201cThey struggle with hearing about anyone being treated unfairly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that empathy comes a profound awareness of other people\u2019s experiences and emotions, as well as an ability to connect with team members in ways neurotypical people may not be able to. \u201cMost of us are so good at pattern recognition that we can immediately spot when something is off,\u201d Landry adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shelton describes a similar experience. \u201cI can pick up on the subtle shifts in behavior and environments that others might miss, and that helps me navigate leadership and honestly life in general in a really intuitive way,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With emotional intelligence<\/a> rising in importance in the workplace, this type of deep empathy will be key for businesses going forward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reductive stereotypes have led to overlooked potential<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Autism is one of the most widely misunderstood neurotypes. Due to limited representation in media and outdated information focused on a narrow group of people, many autistics have found themselves pigeonholed into a reductive stereotype. In reality, autism encompasses a wide array of experience, capabilities and needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt doesn’t mean that I don’t share similar experiences or problems or struggles with other people who are autistic,\u201d Belsky says. \u201cBut we don’t all have the exact same set of challenges or strengths or weaknesses or really strong areas. Everybody\u2019s needs are a little bit different.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if businesses want to tap into the potential of autistic leadership, they need to remember that autism doesn\u2019t only look one way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Belsky puts it, \u201cIf you\u2019ve met one autistic person, you\u2019ve met one autistic person.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meeting the needs of autistic people in the workplace <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Bjelland\u2019s view, <\/strong>one of the most powerful ways to support autistic people<\/a> is to move away from a singular model of productivity. \u201cInstead, we should ask what someone needs to feel their best and be open to different ways of accomplishing goals,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while it can be tempting to view all that autistic leaders can do as \u201csuperpowers,\u201d <\/strong>Belsky cautions against this thinking. \u201cIt’s not as simple and black-and-white [as] saying neurodiversity is a superpower, because what goes along with that is an individual\u2019s support needs, what accommodations they need, the emotional safety to unlock an individual’s ability to be awesome and great at their work,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt could only approach the level of being a superpower if an autistic individual has the right level of comfort and the right support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He encourages workplaces to train staff on neurodiversity and communicate with autistic employees to understand and ensure they have what they need to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bjelland agrees. \u201cIf we want more inclusive, compassionate leadership, we need to make space for autistic voices. We need to change the systems, not the people. When we stop pathologizing difference and start embracing it, we open the door to a more just, creative, innovative and connected future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grass grows where you water it, and when businesses can offer the support that autistic people need to flourish in leadership and the workplace, everyone benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like Shelton says, \u201cThe world doesn\u2019t just need more leaders, it needs more leaders who think differently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo by ljubaphoto\/iStock.com<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Her work has appeared in the Manitoban, Canadian Dimension, and more.","url":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/author\/megan-pietrus\/"}]}},"meta_data":{"_edit_lock":["1747339406:32514"],"_edit_last":["32514"],"_molongui_main_author":["user-73359"],"enable-for-home-page-all-post-section-set-as-first-image":["false"],"enable-for-home-page-all-post-section":["true"],"enable-for-category-section-in-home-page-set-as-first-image":["false"],"enable-for-category-section-in-home-page":["true"],"feature-video":[""],"select-video":[""],"exclude_from_trending":["false"],"type_access":["article_standard"],"disc":["i_influence"],"resource_library":["article"],"store_type":[""],"custom_listing_image":[""],"sync":["true"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":["14061"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["30"],"_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":[""],"_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":[""],"_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":["6"],"_thumbnail_id":["86766"],"_molongui_author":["user-73359"],"_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":["Learn from the experiences of autistic people in leadership and find out how to better support them in the workplace."],"_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":["https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/autistic-leadership-social-1024x538.jpg"],"_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":["86767"],"jet_engine_store_count_recently-viewed":["249"],"_yoast_indexnow_last_ping":["1753717635"],"_elementor_page_assets":["a:0:{}"],"jet_engine_store_count_bookmark":["1"]},"guest_author_field_data":{"main_author_is":"user","guest_authors":[],"user_authors":[{"user_email":"authormeganpietrus@success.com","user_login":"authormeganpietrus@success.com","first_name":"Megan","last_name":"Pietrus","display_name":"Megan Pietrus","nickname":"authormeganpietrus@success.com","user_meta":{"nickname":["authormeganpietrus@success.com"],"first_name":["Megan"],"last_name":["Pietrus"],"description":["<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Megan Pietrus is a freelance writer and editor based in Montreal, Canada. Her work has appeared in the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Manitoban<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Canadian Dimension<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, and more.<\/span>"],"rich_editing":["true"],"syntax_highlighting":["true"],"comment_shortcuts":["false"],"admin_color":["fresh"],"use_ssl":["0"],"show_admin_bar_front":["true"],"locale":[""],"wp_capabilities":["a:1:{s:6:\"author\";b:1;}"],"wp_user_level":["0"],"_yoast_wpseo_profile_updated":["1734020440"],"dismissed_wp_pointers":[""],"hubspot_contact_id":["84035675430"],"wp_elementor_enable_ai":["1"],"wpseo_metadesc":[""],"wpseo_title":[""],"wpseo_content_analysis_disable":[""],"wpseo_keyword_analysis_disable":[""],"wpseo_user_schema":["a:0:{}"],"molongui_author_phone":[""],"molongui_author_job":[""],"molongui_author_company":[""],"molongui_author_company_link":[""],"molongui_author_custom_link":[""],"molongui_author_box_display":["default"],"molongui_author_short_bio":["<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Megan Pietrus is a freelance writer infinitely interested in the complexities of human behavior.<\/span>"],"molongui_author_image_id":[""],"molongui_author_image_url":[""],"molongui_author_image_edit":[""],"advanced-ads-role":[""]}}]},"custom_post_content":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Leadership isn\u2019t one-size-fits-all. Still, those who don\u2019t fit the conventional mold of what leadership is supposed to look like often find themselves sidelined in the leadership conversation.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For many autistic people, this has been their experience.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>But neurodivergent folk, including autistic people, are known to be some of the most powerful and innovative thinkers. And according to Julie Landry, PsyD, board-certified clinical psychologist and co-founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neurosparkhealth.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NeuroSpark Health<\/a>, there is \u201cenormous untapped potential there\u201d for businesses who want to thrive in the fast-paced modern world.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With the right understanding and support, autistic people can emerge as innovative, inspiring and revolutionary leaders.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:html -->\n\n<!-- \/wp:html -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-autistic-people-bring-unique-strengths-to-leadership\">How autistic people bring unique strengths to leadership<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Research has shown that neurodiverse teams often outpace others in productivity. And it\u2019s no coincidence. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/neurodivergence-impact-work\/\">Neurodiverse people<\/a>, including autistic people, are wired to think differently, often approaching things like communication, problem-solving and team building in unconventional ways. And when it comes to leadership, out-of-the-box thinking can be a powerful force for driving productivity, collaboration and breakthrough ideas.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-problem-solving-through-pattern-recognition-nbsp\">Problem-solving through pattern recognition <\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Many autistic people have the unique ability to spot problems and patterns where others may miss them. Often, they\u2019re able to quickly synthesize issues to find strategic and efficient solutions. For <a href=\"https:\/\/www.juliebjelland.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Julie Bjelland<\/a>, founder and CEO of Sensitive Empowerment, Inc., this ability has been key to problem-solving in the workplace.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cI have a natural ability to see patterns, think systemically and tune into what people need,\u201d she says. \u201cThis allows me to go beyond surface-level challenges and address the root causes. I\u2019m always looking at how a space's emotional, structural and sensory aspects interact, so I can build supportive environments where people feel held with care and compassion.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Veronica Shelton, co-founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/oaktheory.co\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oak Theory<\/a> who was diagnosed autistic in the second grade, also attributes much of her leadership success to this strategic way of thinking. \u201cBecause my brain is wired to break things down, find the root cause and strategize solutions quickly, I don\u2019t get stuck in panic mode,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For Shelton, everything fell into place when she realized her autism could be a powerful tool for leadership, rather than a setback. \u201cAutism wasn\u2019t something I had to work against,\u201d she says. \u201cIt was the reason I noticed what others missed. It was the reason I could build systems out of chaos. It was the reason I could lead differently.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-direct-communication\">Direct communication<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>For many autistic people, conventional styles of communication can be difficult.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sheabelsky.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shea Belsky<\/a>, a tech lead at HubSpot, recalls struggling with communication early on in his career. \u201cI historically have had issues communicating with people in the past\u2026 being able to express my thoughts in ways that make sense to others,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The difficulty became a driving force in developing clear and effective communication skills. \u201cI had to learn [how to] explain and articulate things in ways that made sense. And because I have had to overemphasize and over-index on that skill, I now think that\u2026 I\u2019m very good at it,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With Gen Z and millennials increasingly valuing honesty, transparency and direct communication in their leaders, this skill could be a game-changer for companies focused on building strong teams.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cBecause of my autism, I am conscious and focused on making sure that when I talk to people, that I'm making sense, that they can understand me. And I take a lot of pride and care in doing that,\u201d Belsky says.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cPeople rally around me at work, because I am able to articulate and explain things in ways that make sense to them.\u201d<strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-authenticity-over-image-nbsp\">Authenticity over image <\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Bjelland says that autistic leadership often centers around <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/how-authenticity-in-the-workplace-can-result-in-greater-success\/\">authenticity<\/a> and purpose over performance. \u201cMany of us are not interested in power or appearances,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Instead, she says autistic leaders tend to be driven by integrity and a desire to make positive changes, stemming in part from living in the shadows of a neurotypical world. \u201cBecause so many of us have had to navigate life feeling different, we\u2019re deeply attuned to the needs of others who are also on the margins,\u201d Bjelland says. \u201cThat awareness helps us build safer, more inclusive spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Landry, says that this quality in a leader can be refreshing. \u201c[When] you\u2019re reporting to a leader who is autistic, [you know] that you\u2019re going to get the truth, that you\u2019re going to get the real picture of things, that you don\u2019t have to try to interpret what somebody means or what the implied message is,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s going to feel great.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-leading-with-empathy\">Leading with empathy<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>One pervasive misconception is that all autistic people lack empathy. This, Landry stresses, could not be further from the truth.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cMost autistics are profoundly empathic to such an extent that they have a hard time with it,\u201d she says. \u201cThey struggle with hearing about anyone being treated unfairly.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With that empathy comes a profound awareness of other people\u2019s experiences and emotions, as well as an ability to connect with team members in ways neurotypical people may not be able to. \u201cMost of us are so good at pattern recognition that we can immediately spot when something is off,\u201d Landry adds.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Shelton describes a similar experience. \u201cI can pick up on the subtle shifts in behavior and environments that others might miss, and that helps me navigate leadership and honestly life in general in a really intuitive way,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/why-you-need-emotional-intelligence-to-succeed\/\">emotional intelligence<\/a> rising in importance in the workplace, this type of deep empathy will be key for businesses going forward. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-reductive-stereotypes-have-led-to-overlooked-potential\">Reductive stereotypes have led to overlooked potential<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Autism is one of the most widely misunderstood neurotypes. Due to limited representation in media and outdated information focused on a narrow group of people, many autistics have found themselves pigeonholed into a reductive stereotype. In reality, autism encompasses a wide array of experience, capabilities and needs.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cIt doesn't mean that I don't share similar experiences or problems or struggles with other people who are autistic,\u201d Belsky says. \u201cBut we don't all have the exact same set of challenges or strengths or weaknesses or really strong areas. Everybody\u2019s needs are a little bit different.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>And if businesses want to tap into the potential of autistic leadership, they need to remember that autism doesn\u2019t only look one way.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As Belsky puts it, \u201cIf you\u2019ve met one autistic person, you\u2019ve met one autistic person.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-meeting-the-needs-of-autistic-people-in-the-workplace-nbsp\">Meeting the needs of autistic people in the workplace<strong> <\/strong><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>In Bjelland\u2019s view,<strong> <\/strong>one of the most powerful ways to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.success.com\/how-to-better-serve-neurodivergent-employees\/\">support autistic people<\/a> is to move away from a singular model of productivity. \u201cInstead, we should ask what someone needs to feel their best and be open to different ways of accomplishing goals,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>And while it can be tempting to view all that autistic leaders can do as \u201csuperpowers,\u201d<strong> <\/strong>Belsky cautions against this thinking. \u201cIt's not as simple and black-and-white [as] saying neurodiversity is a superpower, because what goes along with that is an individual\u2019s support needs, what accommodations they need, the emotional safety to unlock an individual's ability to be awesome and great at their work,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>\u201cIt could only approach the level of being a superpower if an autistic individual has the right level of comfort and the right support.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>He encourages workplaces to train staff on neurodiversity and communicate with autistic employees to understand and ensure they have what they need to thrive.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Bjelland agrees. \u201cIf we want more inclusive, compassionate leadership, we need to make space for autistic voices. We need to change the systems, not the people. When we stop pathologizing difference and start embracing it, we open the door to a more just, creative, innovative and connected future.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Grass grows where you water it, and when businesses can offer the support that autistic people need to flourish in leadership and the workplace, everyone benefits.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Like Shelton says, \u201cThe world doesn\u2019t just need more leaders, it needs more leaders who think differently.\u201d<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph {\"fontSize\":\"small\"} -->\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><em>Photo by ljubaphoto\/iStock.com<\/em><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","tag_names":[],"post_attachment_urls":[],"author_email":"authormeganpietrus@success.com","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/73359"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86765"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86765\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86765"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.success.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}