Managing Neurodiversity

I had the pleasure of addressing the topic of Neurodiversity Management at the general assembly of the European research consortium R2D2-MH this week, held at the Institut Pasteur in Paris.

R2D2-MH is a participatory research program harnessing the collective intelligence of its neurodivergent members. It is funded by the European Union.

These last three days of stimulating discussions attracted more than seventy in-person participants from twelve countries.

Managing Neurodiversity: A Strategic Challenge for Any Organization

Today, every organization—whether public, private, or nonprofit—must recognize and value the cognitive diversity of its members. Neurodiversity is not a "problem" to be solved, but a true lever for innovation, performance, and resilience. By implementing policies that harness collective intelligence within teams (awareness training, tools, processes, etc.), organizations benefit from:

• Complementary ways of thinking. People with autism, ADHD, or Dys, for example, bring unique forms of reasoning and observation that can reveal blind spots or suggest unexpected solutions.

• Renewed creativity. A team that integrates cognitively diverse minds explores more avenues, limiting group bias and enhancing the quality of decision-making.

From a business viewpoint, managing neurodiversity is not just another option, but a critical element of an organization's performance. It was this collaborative model that made these three days at the Institut Pasteur a success: a fine example of collective intelligence at the service of research and society.

-Vincent Grimaldi de Puget