Manage Smarter

Tara May, CEO of Aspiritech and International Neurodiversity Advocate, discusses the importance of embracing autism in the workplace. Aspiritech employs 90% autistic professionals, highlighting their unique strengths. Tara shares her insights on fostering innovation, cultural transformation, and the ROI of kindness. Learn how to create an inclusive environment that leverages the talents of autistic individuals.Takeaways include:1 Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Tara May emphasizes the importance of integrating neurodivergent individuals, particularly those on the autism spectrum, into various levels of a company. This approach not only fosters innovation but also enhances productivity by leveraging unique skill sets.2 ROI of Kindness: Tara May advocates for a company culture that prioritizes kindness and psychological safety. This philosophy not only improves employee well-being but also drives business success and innovation.3 Career Progression for Autistic Employees: Aspiritech focuses on undoing the low self-esteem instilled in autistic individuals from a young age. By emphasizing strengths and potential, the company ensures meaningful career progression for its neurodivergent employees.4 Unique Strengths of Autistic Employees: Autistic individuals often excel in tasks requiring high levels of focus and the ability to spot anomalies in large data sets. These strengths make them particularly well-suited for roles in tech services, including software testing and AI model building.5 Universal Design and Employee-Centric Approach: Aspiritech employs universal design principles to create an inclusive work environment. This employee-centric approach ensures that all team members, regardless of neurodiversity, can thrive both in work and life."Autistic people don't just belong in entry level positions or single departments. When we are able to pair a business need with something an autistic person has an incredible passion for, magic happens, productivity is insane." - Tara May#autism #autismspectrum #neurodivergent #sensory #inclusiveworkplace #employees #managers #podcast #managesmarter #salesfuelConnect with Tara Maywww.taranicoalmay.comwww.aspiritech.orghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/taranmay/ Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts ·         Website: ManageSmarter.com ·         LinkedIn: Audrey Strong                                                                    ·         LinkedIn: C.Lee Smith   Connect with SalesFuel ·         Website: http://salesfuel.com/ ·         Twitter: @SalesFuel ·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're diving into a crucial topic: Identifying the Best Character Traits During a Job Interview. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're discussing an important topic: How Sellers with Challenging Jobs Stay Motivated. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Matthew Zakreski is a clinical psychologist, professional speaker, and consultant who specializes in working with neurodivergent individuals. He is known for his energetic and engaging speaking style, which has made him a sought-after speaker at various conferences and events. Dr. Zakreski maintains a private practice at the Neurodiversity Collective, where he provides therapy and support to neurodivergent clients. His work focuses on helping individuals navigate a world that often isn't built for their unique needs, offering practical strategies and insights to improve their quality of life.Insights from this #podcast include:*Understanding Neurodiversity: Neurodivergent individuals have different brain structures andfunctions, which can include conditions like ADHD, autism, and dyslexia.Recognizing and accommodating these differences can unlock unique strengths andtalents within your team. *Tailoring Work Environments: Amplify the environments where neurodivergent employees canthrive by aligning their roles with their strengths. For example, someone whoexcels in relational sales might struggle in quick turnaround sales but canexcel in long-term relationship building. *Neurodivergent Hiring Practices: Companies should adopt neurodivergent-affirming hiringpractices by focusing on interests and skills rather than traditional jobdescriptions. This approach can attract and retain top talent who may not fitconventional molds but bring invaluable perspectives. *Managing Imposter Syndrome: Imposter syndrome often stems from feeling different. To combat this, neurodivergent individuals should focus on accepting compliments and rewardingthemselves for achievements to maintain confidence and motivation. *Context, Not Excuse: Neurodivergence should be seen as context for behavior, not an excuse for poor performance. Managers should explore ways to support neurodivergent employeesin meeting deadlines and achieving goals through tailored strategies and support systems.#managers #neurodiversity #autism #autistic #ADHD #hiring #HR #human resources #psychology #employees #management #dyslexia #matthewzakreski #neurodiversitycollective #managesmarter “You build a square hole for the square peg and let them do what they're going to do. Neurodivergent people are allergic to bullshit, right? We can smell a fraud from a mile away.”– Matthew Zakreski Connect with Matthew Zakreskiwww.theneurodiversitycollective.comwww.drmattzakreski.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-zakreski-0a32358https://www.facebook.com/drmattzakreski/ Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts ·         Website: ManageSmarter.com ·         LinkedIn: Audrey Strong                                                                    ·         LinkedIn: C.Lee Smith   Connect with SalesFuel ·         Website: http://salesfuel.com/ ·         Twitter: @SalesFuel ·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're discussing a topic that causes issues for a lot of managers: running better meetings. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're diving into a topic that hits close to home for many of us: why your new hire isn’t working out. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Cindy Anderson, founder of Thinc Strategy, shares her expertise on managing business transitions, mergers, and acquisitions. Cindy, a recovering CPA, emphasizes the importance of integrating cultures and maintaining employee satisfaction during transitions. Shediscusses strategies for effective communication, planning, and ensuring a smooth transition that benefits both the buyer and the seller. Cindy's insights are invaluable for business leaders looking to increase the value of their business and navigate the complexities of mergers and acquisitions. Don't miss her expert advice on maintaining ROI, employee retention, and productivity during these critical times. Key Takeaways include: ·        Transitioning a business? Remember, anychange impacts efficiency, employee satisfaction, ROI, and retention. Planahead! #BusinessTransition #EmployeeWellbeing ·        Effective communication during businesstransitions is key. Collaborate on messaging and ensure everyone is on the samepage. #BusinessStrategy #Leadership ·        Cultural fit should come before anythingelse in mergers and acquisitions. Identify non-negotiables to ensure a smoothtransition. #CorporateCulture #MergersAndAcquisitions ·        Middle managers are often the most afraidduring transitions. Engage them early and consider building incentives intotheir compensation plans. #Management #BusinessTransition ·        In today's labor market, there's a super labor shortage. Buyers are less likely to eliminate professional staff duringacquisitions. #LaborMarket #EmployeeRetention “Any transition in business affects teams with the following: efficiency, employee satisfaction, ROI, and retention and turnover.”– Cindy Anderson  All episodes of Manage Smarter can be found at ManageSmarter.com Connect with Cindy Andersonhttps://www.thincstrategy.com/https://www.facebook.com/thincstrategy/https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-anderson-b540989/  Connect with Manage Smarter Hosts ·         Website: ManageSmarter.com ·         LinkedIn: AudreyStrong                                                                    ·         LinkedIn: C.Lee Smith   Connect with SalesFuel ·         Website: http://salesfuel.com/ ·         Twitter: @SalesFuel ·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're diving into some awesome employee engagement hacks to quickly reduce turnover. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're diving into a topic that hits close to home for many of us. Imposter syndrome. Have you ever felt like you're just waiting for someone to call you out as a fraud? You're not alone. Gain valuable insights on leadership and team dynamics with host Chip Gray.Join us each week for a brand new bonus Extra Point episode. In less than 5 minutes, you'll get additional insights about the psychology of leadership and management from the producers of the Manage Smarter podcast. Find all of the Manage Smarter episodes on ManageSmarter.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephanie Brown, founder of Creative Career Lab, talks about reverse ageism in the workplace and how it affects entry level workers and how they can gain more credibility when trying to land a job and work.She shares invaluable insights on how both young and older employees can navigate and overcome age-related biases. Discover practical strategies for positioning yourself as a valuable asset, regardless of age, and learn how to leverage soft skills to advance your career. Whether you're a manager, a young professional, or someone re-entering the workforce, this episode offers actionable advice to help you thrive in today's competitive job market."Your university graduation, your degree basically is just a ticket to compete, right? That gets you in the door. If you don't have it, you'll get eliminated, but you need that just to compete." - Stephanie Brown Key Takeaways include: Why Gen Z lacks credibility when trying to enter the workplace and when trying to climb the ladder What to look for in job listings to show if a workplace exercises age discrimination How to make yourself more credible and stand out to prospective employers Why an entrepreneurial mindset is key when tackling your entry level position Why ageism happens to young employees because they lack soft skills #human resources #HR #GenZ #hiring #jobs #pre-hiring #jobsearch #entryleveljobs #youngemployees #workplaceAll Manage Smarter episodes available on ManageSmarter.com Connect with Stephanie Brownhttps://www.creativecareerlab.com/creative-career-level-uphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniebrowncareercoach/https://www.tiktok.com/@kiwilondongirlConnect with Manage Smarter Hosts and Company·         Website: ManageSmarter.com ·         LinkedIn: Audrey Strong                                                               ·         LinkedIn: C. Lee Smith   Connect with SalesFuel ·         Website: http://salesfuel.com/ ·         Twitter: @SalesFuel ·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salesfuel/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices