We like to think of ourselves as rational—but science tells a different story. Our brains are wired to take shortcuts so we can take rapid, instinct-based decisions, and while that helped our ancestors survive, today it can leads to sub-optimal outcomes.

In this episode of Culture by Neurodesign, Dr Lisa Colledge discusses how the information processing style of autistic thinkers is more resistant to these “heuristics” and emotion-driven biases—and why that matters for your team’s performance. From rejecting sunk costs to resisting framing traps and decoy pricing tricks, autistic brains tend to be less susceptible to innate biases that cloud rationality.

Through real-world examples and psychological research, this episode shows why neurodivergent logic is an advantage. In high-stakes, data-rich environments, that clarity can mean the difference between good outcomes and great ones.

This is not about labels. It’s about learning to build team cultures that attract and enable different styles of thinking—so that better decisions become the norm, not the exception.

Related resources:

• If you’d like to read an article version of this material: Rational decision making: how autistic brains beat bias

• Listen to a podcast about the natural fit of autistic traits with the skills needed for successful performance in Silicon Valley: Autism and Silicon Valley: a case study in neuro-inclusive design.

I'm Lisa, and I take inspiration from neurodivergence-inclusion to help leaders create cognitively inclusive cultures that connect people with different cognitive styles, empowering everyone to contribute their best.

Learn how my services can transform your team: https://www.lisacolledgeconsulting.com/services

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