Episode 27: Empathy, innovation, and the future of work: a discussion with Robert Annis
Published on 8 April 2025 • Hosted by Dr Lisa Colledge
In a world that prizes and increasingly depends on innovation, we’re overlooking one of its richest sources: neurodivergent talent.
In this episode of Culture by Neurodesign, I speak with business psychologist Robert Annis, who brings not only professional insight but lived experience of autism, ADHD, face blindness, and aphantasia. Our conversation exposed a key tension: society is swinging from viewing neurodivergence as a deficit to branding it a superpower—with neither extreme reflecting the full truth.
Robert challenges the feel-good narratives that focus only on strengths. “You can’t truly support someone if you’re only portraying the positives,” he says. His story reveals how systemic design mismatches—like relying on facial memory or imagination—can make life and work feel inaccessible.
And yet, with more than half of Gen Z identifying as neurodivergent, the talent pipeline is changing. Companies that don’t adapt will fall behind—not just on DEI metrics, but on innovation, retention, and resilience. Leaders must move away from their out-dated approach to “fixing” individuals and instead create environments that flex to diverse ways of thinking.
Robert puts it simply: “Leaders shouldn’t be creating followers. They should be creating leaders.”
The episode is full of actionable insights: start small, expect mistakes, build psychological safety, and model the change. Most importantly, don’t wait. The talent is here—and it’s not waiting around for permission to be itself.
Robert offers a distinctive cognitive perspective that can uncover innovative solutions to complex organisational challenges. His atypical thinking style enables him to spot patterns others may overlook, enhancing decision-making, fostering inclusive workplace practices, and driving meaningful, evidence-based change. Learn more at
www.gwspartners.co.uk, and connect with Robert at https://www.linkedin.com/in/robannis/.
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.
If you'd like to learn more about how prioritizing this single program would help you to boost not only engagement and wellbeing, but also innovation and resilience, please take a look at my free signature program: Neuro-Inspired: 12 Steps to a Future-Proof Workplace Culture.
