20% Smarter

How Neurodivergence Drives Innovation, Growth, and Success

By: David Flink

From Neurodiversity Alliance founder David Flink, an exploration of how neurodivergent traits fuel the kind of creativity, decision making, and innovation that workplaces can’t afford to miss.

About 1 in 5 people are neurodivergent — a community that includes those with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, and autism. Yet the language historically used to describe them focuses almost entirely on what they can't do.

David Flink has spent three decades helping organizations recognize that thinking differently is not a liability, but a powerful engine for success. If neurodivergent people make up 20% of the population and we're leaving their strengths untapped, then unlocking that potential makes all of us smarter. Using stories of industry-changing iconoclasts and everyday people redefining success, 20% Smarter introduces a new approach for recognizing seven neurodivergent traits — and the people who embody them:

• Rule-Breakers — intelligent disobedience
• Specialists — deep mastery
• Explorers — big-picture thinking
• Salients — pattern recognition
• Expanders — creative problem-solving
• Bridge Builders — human connection
• Hustlers — relentless drive

Combining science with hard-won insight, 20% Smarter translates a powerful new framework into practical steps for individuals and organizations ready to think better — together.

Critic reviews

"For too long, we have measured human worth against a narrow standard of conformity, discarding the gifts that don't fit neatly inside it—and David Flink is done with that. 20% Smarter is an urgent, generous rethinking of talent, belonging, and what it truly means to matter, revealing neurotalents and ways of thinking that can benefit us all." —Jennifer Wallace, New York Times bestselling author of Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose

“A sharp look at the kind of thinkers who change the game.”—Barbara Corcoran, entrepreneur and investor, Shark Tank

"Few authors combine the experience of a CEO with the curiosity of a journalist and the discipline of a researcher as effectively as David. 20% Smarter is both an unforgettable read and an important business book. Every leader should read this book.”—John Rodin, CEO of Glenview Capital

“The future of business belongs to organizations that can see talent differently. In 20% Smarter, David Flink makes a compelling case that neurodivergent thinkers are not simply people to include, but a source of insight, innovation, and competitive advantage. Drawing on research, real-world examples, and his own remarkable journey, David challenges leaders to rethink how they identify and develop talent. This is an important book for anyone building the workforce of the future."—Niren Chaudhary, former CEO of Panera Bread

“Great leaders don’t ask everyone to think the same way. They build teams around complementary strengths. Drawing on evidence from neuroscience, research, and examples from exceptional organizations, David Flink reveals how autism, ADHD, and dyslexia bring distinct talents to the workplace. Every founder, executive, and manager who wants to build a stronger organization should read this book."—Logan Green, co-founder and former CEO, Lyft