How Do I Adapt My Culture to Support Neurodiverse Employees? w/ Shawn Johnston
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Episode Overview
Shawn Johnston, founder and CEO of a 14-year-old agency, shares his personal journey of being diagnosed with ADHD and autism later in life and how it transformed his approach to building workplace culture. After discovering his own neurodivergence while supporting his son's diagnosis, Shawn rebuilt his entire company around neurodiversity-friendly practices. Now leading a team that's approximately one-third neurodiverse, he reveals the specific accommodations, communication strategies, and cultural shifts that not only support neurodivergent employees but create stronger, more productive teams for everyone.
Shawn Explains
• What neurodiversity actually is and the common misconceptions that harm inclusive hiring
• How masking behaviors exhaust neurodivergent employees and why authenticity drives performance
• The five key workplace accommodations that transform neurodivergent employee success
• Why documentation and clear communication systems benefit all team members
• How workplace trauma affects neurodivergent individuals and what leaders can do about it
• The business advantages of building sensory-safe environments and flexible work structures
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to neurodiversity in workplace culture
02:07 Shawn's personal journey with late diagnosis
04:25 What neurodiversity actually means and includes
06:45 How neurodivergent brains process information differently
09:06 Understanding masking behaviors in professional settings
11:15 Common workplace challenges for neurodivergent employees
13:36 The hidden trauma of workplace misunderstanding
16:03 Debunking autism spectrum misconceptions
18:29 The "spiky profile" of neurodivergent strengths
20:49 Why "high functioning" labels are harmful
23:05 Masking behaviors and their emotional toll
25:29 Sensory overwhelm in traditional office environments
27:48 The connection between neurodiversity and PTSD
30:04 Addressing the "superpower" narrative around ADHD
32:20 Essential workplace accommodations for success
34:41 Creating effective documentation systems
36:58 Building sensory-safe work environments
39:13 Communication strategies that work for everyone
44:03 Front-loading information to reduce anxiety
46:27 What neurodiverse employees really want
48:51 Common mistakes to avoid with neurodivergent staff
51:10 Building naturally inclusive company culture
53:31 Organic growth of neurodiverse teams
55:54 Final advice for creating inclusive workplaces
58:13 Shawn's current projects and contact information
Follow Shawn
Follow Shawn Johnston:
Website: refoundry.io
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shawn-johnston-w
Email: [email protected]
About Shawn's Company
Shawn runs a 14-year-old agency and is the founder of Refoundry, a low-code, seamless site builder for WordPress that helps agencies deliver digital projects faster and more efficiently. Refoundry is currently doing a pre-seed raise and showing strong early traction in the market.
• Specializes in systems and process optimization for agencies
• Built around neurodiversity-friendly practices from the ground up
• Approximately one-third of the team is neurodivergent
• Focus on clear documentation, flexible scheduling, and sensory accommodations
• Proven track record of creating inclusive cultures that drive business growth
For more information about Refoundry's SaaS platform, visit refoundry.io
About How Do I?
The How Do I? Podcast gives you 60 minutes with industry experts who teach their expertise to eCommerce founders and business operators. Each episode centers on a single "How do I...?" question, providing actionable tactics you can implement immediately.
Host: Matt Putra, Founder & CEO of Eightx
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15 episodes