Hosting neuroinclusive meetings
Gathering your teams and community to strategize, plan, and problem solve can be a powerful experience and build deep trust with your colleagues.
Done right, it can also be an opportunity to hold more inclusive meetings for neurodivergent team members.
Here are a few ways to ensure everyone has the chance to shine:
Send an agenda beforehand. This gives folks the opportunity to prepare. It doesn't always need to be super detailed, but an overview will give team members some peace of mind in knowing what to expect.
Whether gathering online or in person, minimizing crosstalk will help neurodivergent folks process sound and information. A good practice is to set the tone at the beginning of the meeting and invite people to speak during their turn.
Consider background distractions such as noise and lighting. Not every workspace is going to have a private meeting room, but by minimizing background noise and interruptions, you'll be setting your team up for success.
If you're hosting a brainstorming session, give neurodivergent team members the opportunity to send their ideas before and after the session. Not everyone is comfortable with rapid fire ideas so this will give everyone the opportunity to contribute.
After the meeting, send out a summary with an invitation for feedback. This will empower everyone on the team to offer suggestions on how they can best show up and provide value during meetings and organizational gatherings.
