Culture by Neurodesign

Episode 31: The hidden cost of rock stars—and what great leaders do instead

What if the team member you rely on most—the one who always delivers—is quietly limiting your team’s growth?
In this episode of Culture by Neurodesign, Dr Lisa Colledge explores the risks of over-relyiance on high performers, and what it really takes to build a high performing, innovative team.
Through personal stories, research, and actionable insights, Lisa unpacks why rewarding only individual brilliance alienates others, leads to burnout, and limits growth.
You'll hear how Neuro-Inclusive Teams inclusive team design unlocks sustainable performance from everyone on your team, including your stars.
Learn about:
Why rock stars can unintentionally limit growth.
Four key risks of over-relying on individual brilliance.
A real-life, game-changing experiment in inclusive project selection.
How neuro-inclusive teams outperform the competition now, and tomorrow.
 
 
I’m Dr Lisa Colledge, and I help ambitious leaders build future-ready teams they trust to deliver now and adapt to whatever’s next — driving engagement, performance, and enduring resilience.
Learn more about building Neuro-Inspired Teams that outpace, outperform, and outlast your competition.

Episode 30: Step 4: from personal action to team accountability

In this episode, Dr Colledge explores Step 4 of her signature program, 12 Steps to a Future-Proof Workplace Culture. It’s the step where cultural change moves beyond the leader and begins to involve the team—intentionally, respectfully, and practically.
With candid personal stories and a proven tool—the Neurostyle Navigator—Lisa explains how to build motivation and shared accountability to make the cultural change you’re driving towards by uncovering hidden preferences, and avoiding some of the common traps leaders fall into when trying to create change.
If you want to lead a cognitively diverse team that thrives in engagement, retention, and innovation, this episode is for you.
 
Since publishing this podcast, I’ve decided to discontinue the 12 Steps program. Rather than persevering stubbornly and hoping something would change, I’m acting on the evidence of what I’ve observed: the content resonated strongly, but the do-it-yourself format didn’t lead to the kind of engagement I intended.
The 12 Steps approach is strong — rooted in evidence and experience — so don't worry; the content and advice in this podcast is still relevant and valuable to address your challenges with your team. But the format of sharing the insights and actions wasn't optimal.
So I’ve evolved the work into something more impactful: my new Neuro-Inspired Teams program. My mission hasn’t changed — helping leaders build teams that grow their business and free them to lead. But the format has. The biggest shifts:
It’s now a Done-With-You Strategic Leadership Partnership.
I tailor the content, support, and delivery to each unique leadership context.
I'm reworking the core content into short films with takeaway guides and actions that are easier to consume on the go or during work.
Learn more at https://www.lisacolledgeconsulting.com/services.

Episode 29: Culture is the game — IBM vs Polaroid

What does it really take to survive disruption—and thrive in the face of it? In this episode of Culture by Neurodesign, Dr Lisa Colledge explores two iconic companies that faced massive change in the early '90s: IBM and Polaroid. Both had brilliant people. Both valued culture. But only one turned its culture into a capability—and survived.
Lisa unpacks how IBM’s turnaround under Louis Gerstner Junior hinged not on new technology, or hiring and firing, but on enabling the talent already within—by changing the culture. She contrasts this with Polaroid, whose strong but rigid culture stifled innovation, even as their team developed a digital camera well in advance of their closest competitor that could have saved the company.
Listen to discover what happens when you go beyond cognitive diversity and actively enable it—because culture isn’t a backdrop. It’s the game.
 
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.
 
I’m Dr Lisa Colledge, and I help ambitious leaders build future-ready teams they trust to deliver now and adapt to whatever’s next — driving engagement, performance, and enduring resilience.
Learn more about building Neuro-Inspired Teams that outpace, outperform, and outlast your competition.

Episode 28: Work get-togethers: connection, not conformity

Work get-togethers are meant to be fun and engaging, right? But the fact is that they’re only fun for a vocal minority of your organization—and an exhausting ordeal for others.
In this episode, I explore how team social events usually default to an extrovert-friendly mold, leaving introverts, neurodivergent team members, and those facing personal challenges feeling drained, overlooked, and pressured to conform.
I break down the self-fulfilling prophecy of workplace socials, why simply making them “optional” is cowardly and not a real solution, and how to design team gatherings that enable connection without forcing conformity.
You’ll hear about practical strategies inspired by neuro-inclusion best practices—which benefit not only neurodivergent people, but for anyone who has ever found a work social exhausting rather than energizing.
Listen now and rethink the way we build team culture.  
 
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.
 
I’m Dr Lisa Colledge, and I help ambitious leaders build future-ready teams they trust to deliver now and adapt to whatever’s next — driving engagement, performance, and enduring resilience.
Learn more about building Neuro-Inspired Teams that outpace, outperform, and outlast your competition.

Episode 27: Empathy, innovation, and the future of work: a discussion with Robert Annis

In this episode of Culture by Neurodesign, Dr Lisa College is joined by neurodivergent business psychologist Robert Annis for a candid and insightful conversation on neurodivergence, leadership, and the future of work.
They discuss the strengths and struggles that come with neurodivergent experiences, the generational shifts in talent entering the workforce, and what leaders must do to build inclusive, resilient organizations. Robert’s personal story adds depth and urgency to a topic often simplified in business conversations.
It’s time to move beyond myths and embrace complexity—because the future of innovation depends on it.
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 Dr Lisa Colledge, and I help ambitious leaders build future-ready teams they trust to deliver now and adapt to whatever’s next — driving engagement, performance, and enduring resilience.
Learn more about building Neuro-Inspired Teams that outpace, outperform, and outlast your competition.

Episode 26: Step 3: action – the power of microinclusive leadership

In Episode 26 of Culture by Neurodesign, we take the next step in my signature program, Neuro-Inspired: 12 Steps to a Future-Proof Workplace Culture. After defining your vision in Step 2, it’s time to start taking action—starting with you.
As a leader, your team mirrors your behaviors. This episode focuses on two small but transformative leadership behaviors:
Microinclusions: small acts of inclusion that boost engagement and well-being.
What, not how: shifting focus from process (“how”) to outcomes (“what”) to empower the diverse thinkers in your team).
These simple shifts require no extra time or budget—but they do require intention.
Learn why these small leadership changes create incredible impact and how this program will help you to make your first actions relevant to your vision for your team.
 
Missed earlier steps?
Episode 18: I introduce this program and talk about Step 1: https://youtu.be/aWERZhWi-nw
Episode 22: in Step 2, we convert the observations you made in Step 1 into a vision for your team: https://youtu.be/QzRzZychieU
 
 
Since publishing this podcast, I’ve decided to discontinue the 12 Steps program. Rather than persevering stubbornly and hoping something would change, I’m acting on the evidence of what I’ve observed: the content resonated strongly, but the do-it-yourself format didn’t lead to the kind of engagement I intended.
The 12 Steps approach is strong — rooted in evidence and experience — so don't worry; the content and advice in this podcast is still relevant and valuable to address your challenges with your team. But the format of sharing the insights and actions wasn't optimal.
So I’ve evolved the work into something more impactful: my new Neuro-Inspired Teams program. My mission hasn’t changed — helping leaders build teams that grow their business and free them to lead. But the format has. The biggest shifts:
It’s now a Done-With-You Strategic Leadership Partnership.
I tailor the content, support, and delivery to each unique leadership context.
I'm reworking the core content into short films with takeaway guides and actions that are easier to consume on the go or during work.
Learn more at https://www.lisacolledgeconsulting.com/services.

Episode 25: The middle way – practical strategies for empowering your teams. Discussion with Jaime Gennaro – part 2

How do you create meaningful change in your team when leadership isn’t fully on board?
 
In this episode of Culture by Neurodesign, Jaime Gennaro and I explore The Middle Way—a practical, under-the-radar approach to empowering your team, building influence, and driving change without fighting for top-down approval.
 
If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting to make things better but facing leadership roadblocks, this episode is for you.
 
Jaime’s website is available here: https://www.practica.consulting/.
Read more about the benefits of engaging your team more closely with each other, and with your mission: Let’s get engaged – right now!
 
I’m Dr Lisa Colledge, and I help ambitious leaders build future-ready teams they trust to deliver now and adapt to whatever’s next — driving engagement, performance, and enduring resilience.
Learn more about building Neuro-Inspired Teams that outpace, outperform, and outlast your competition.

Episode 24: Pride in neurodiversity: a special Podcasthon episode with Tjerk Feitsma

In this special Podcasthon episode of Culture by Neurodesign, Dr Lisa College sits down with Tjerk Feitsma, Director of The Neurodiversity Foundation, to discuss the transformative power of neurodiversity.
Tjerk shares his journey from late diagnosis to becoming a leading advocate, The Foundation’s global impact, and the significance of Neurodiversity Pride Day. We explore why inclusion matters, the misconceptions about neurodivergence, and how workplaces can unlock the potential of all minds.
Listen in for an inspiring conversation about changing narratives, building inclusive workplaces, and taking meaningful steps toward a more neurodivergent-inclusive future.
Find out more about the work of Tjerk and The Neurodiversity Foundation here:
The Neurodiversity Foundation website: https://neurodiversiteit.nl.
Information and resources for Neurodiversity Pride Day are available here: https://www.neurodiversityprideday.com/. Remember to mark your calendar for 16 June!
The Neurodiversity Education Academy has many articles, courses, and apps, and a learning community of 1,400 educators: https://www.neurodiversityeducationacademy.org/.
Podcasthon raises awareness for a huge number of charities worldwide by having as many hosts as possible dedicate an episode of their show to a charity they support, and releasing them in a coordinated wave in mid-March. This third Podcast is the first time it has emerged from France, and 1,600 podcasters all over the world are participating!
 
 
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.
 
I’m Dr Lisa Colledge, and I help ambitious leaders build future-ready teams they trust to deliver now and adapt to whatever’s next — driving engagement, performance, and enduring resilience.
Learn more about building Neuro-Inspired Teams that outpace, outperform, and outlast your competition.

Episode 23: Why do some leaders resist growth? Discussion with Jaime Gennaro, Part 1

Why do some leaders resist growth—even when it’s clearly beneficial for their teams and organizations?
 
In this episode of Culture by Neurodesign, I sit down with my partner and leadership coach Jaime Gennaro of Practica Consulting. We explore why some leaders struggle to embrace change, how ego and outdated management styles play a role, and why gender dynamics often influence leadership engagement.
 
If you've ever wondered why some leaders seem stuck in their ways and what you can do about it, this candid conversation is for you.
And when you consider that 8 out of 10 employees globally are disengaged, it’s easy to see how ensuring that your leadership style optimizes your team’s engagement with each other, and with your mission, is a real competitive leadership advantage.
 
 
Jaime’s website is available here: https://www.practica.consulting/.
Read more about the benefits of engaging your team more closely with each other, and with your mission: Let’s get engaged – right now!

Episode 22: Vision before action: step 2 of my signature program

In this episode of Culture by Neurodesign, we continue exploring my signature program, Neuro-Inspired: 12 Steps to a Future-Proof Workplace Culture. Today, we focus on step 2: defining your vision for a future-proof team.
Rushing to solutions without a clear vision will only slow your progress and limit your impact. That’s why we take this time to clarify where your team is going, and what success looks like, and how we’ll measure it before diving into cognitive inclusion.
I’ll guide you through:
✅ Identifying your primary focus—Engagement and Wellness, Talent Retention and Acquisition, or Innovation and Resilience.✅ Creating an aspirational vision statement to align and motivate you and your team.✅ Choosing metrics and measures to track progress and maintain momentum.
I know you're eager to move forward, but remember: slowing down now and building this solid foundation means moving faster later. Let’s get clear on your vision so you can lead your team with confidence towards success.
 
Missed Step 1? Listen to Episode 18 for my introduction to this program. 
 
Since publishing this podcast, I’ve decided to discontinue the 12 Steps program. Rather than persevering stubbornly and hoping something would change, I’m acting on the evidence of what I’ve observed: the content resonated strongly, but the do-it-yourself format didn’t lead to the kind of engagement I intended.
The 12 Steps approach is strong — rooted in evidence and experience — so don't worry; the content and advice in this podcast is still relevant and valuable to address your challenges with your team. But the format of sharing the insights and actions wasn't optimal.
So I’ve evolved the work into something more impactful: my new Neuro-Inspired Teams program. My mission hasn’t changed — helping leaders build teams that grow their business and free them to lead. But the format has. The biggest shifts:
It’s now a Done-With-You Strategic Leadership Partnership.
I tailor the content, support, and delivery to each unique leadership context.
I'm reworking the core content into short films with takeaway guides and actions that are easier to consume on the go or during work.
Learn more at https://www.lisacolledgeconsulting.com/services.