Manage Smarter 260 — Embracing Autism in the Workplace With Tara May

HOSTED BY C. LEE SMITH AND AUDREY STRONG
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Tara May is the CEO of Aspiritech and an international neurodiversity advocate. Aspiritech is a revolutionary tech company with a mission of meaningful employment for autistic team members. 

Tara is an expert in cultural transformation and fostering innovation, having worked with massive clients. Her philosophy emphasizes the ROI of kindness and the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. Tara's leadership has made Aspiritech a leader in integrating neurodivergent individuals into the tech industry, with 90% of her team being autistic professionals.

If you like this episode, you will also like Episode 259 — Unlocking Neurodivergent Potential with Dr. Matthew Zakreski.

In this podcast for sales managers and executive leadership, Audrey Strong, C. Lee Smith and Tara May discuss:

Neurodiversity in the Workplace

Tara May emphasizes the importance of integrating neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, into various levels of a company. This approach not only fosters innovation but also enhances productivity by leveraging unique skill sets.

The ROI of Kindness and Psychological Safety

Tara advocates for a company culture that prioritizes kindness and psychological safety. This philosophy not only improves employee well-​being but also drives business success and innovation.

Career Progression for Autistic Employees

Tara's company, Aspiritech, focuses on undoing the low self-​esteem instilled in autistic individuals from a young age. By emphasizing strengths and potential, the company ensures meaningful career progression for its neurodivergent employees.

Unique Strengths of Autistic Employees

Autistic individuals often excel in tasks requiring high levels of focus and the ability to spot anomalies in large data sets. These strengths make them particularly well-​suited for roles in tech services, including software testing and AI model building.

Universal Design and Employee-​Centric Approach

Tara recommends employing universal design principles to create an inclusive work environment. This employee-​centric approach ensures that all team members, regardless of neurodiversity, can thrive both in work and life.

"Autistic people don't just belong in entry level positions or single departments. When we are able to pair a business need with something an autistic person has an incredible passion for, magic happens!"

Tara May

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