Neurodivergence might be the engine behind progress | Dex Hunter-Torricke | ADHD Beyond the Label

‘Neurodivergence isn't a brake on progress - it might actually be the engine behind it.’

In this episode of ADHD Beyond the Label, Dr Phil Anderton & John Reynolds talk with Dex Hunter-Torricke.

Dex has worked directly with some of the biggest names in tech, Eric Schmidt at Google, Elon Musk at SpaceX, Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook.

He's seen up close how innovation accelerates when neurodivergent thinkers are not only welcomed, but empowered.

Dex believes that all but one of his big-tech bosses were likely neurodivergent - and in Silicon Valley, that's not something people hide. It's often a headline strength.

Neurodivergence is credited as a driver of creation, disruption, and problem-solving. (Of course, hyper-focus and intense work cultures can also lead to burnout - a conversation for another day).

But outside that ecosystem, especially in the UK, neurodivergence is still too often masked, misunderstood, or surrounded by stigma & shame.

And that has consequences:

• ideas unspoken

• innovation lost

• potential untapped

There's so much we could learn from the way Silicon Valley elevates difference rather than burying it under rigid protocols and one-size-fits-all HR performance reviews.

Today, alongside recently joining the HM Treasury board, Dec is using his platform, experience and extensive networks to take n some of humanities most urgent challenges.