Episode 51: Autism-inspired communication: fixing hidden energy leaks at work
Published on 23 September 2025 • Hosted by Dr Lisa Colledge
👉 On 9 October, I’m hosting a free 30-minute session for leaders who want to cut hidden energy drains, and unlock team impact, by making changes in how they communicate. I’ll share case studies and introduce my FIT Framework - practical guardrails for designing communication that works across diverse neurostyles.
Register here: https://www.crowdcast.io/@neuro-inspired.
Every September, I’m reminded how much energy change costs my autistic son, Chris. Even what may seem like small shifts – a few new classmates, new teachers - drain his focus and ability to learn.
Any small step we take with his teachers to make his learning environment a closer fit to his preferred style pays off. He learns more and more quickly, he plays more easily, and he enjoys life with more energy.
This isn’t just about Chris. At work, every one of us loses energy when we have to constantly adapt to systems that don’t fit our natural styles. These hidden leaks drain our productivity and innovation. The good news? You can design to change this, and you can start with small shifts in communication to reclaim that lost energy.
I share two practical lessons as examples of how what we’ve learned with Chris applies directly to the workplace:
1. Be explicit, not implicit.
Hints, raised eyebrows, or vague instructions take extra processing and interpretation. For Chris, it means confusion and mental overload. For teams, it means wasted time and missed impact.
2. Only ask questions that are real questions.
“Shall we…?” when you mean “It’s time to…” forces extra effort. In teams under pressure, that’s energy that could fuel results.
These tips aren’t only for autistic people. They help ADHD, dyslexic, second-language speakers, and tired colleagues - in fact, they help everyone. In today’s world of AI disruption, restructures, and “do more with less,” they’re a proven foundation of universal design that helps teams meet rising expectations without burning out.
Join my free 30-minute presentation (9 October) to see more case studies and my FIT Framework in action.
Register here: https://www.crowdcast.io/@neuro-inspired.
