Designing Neurodiverse-Friendly Workplaces with Kay Sargent

Dr. Nathan Regier, your host, welcomes Kay Sargent to today’s episode. Kay is the senior principal and director of the Workplace Team and is on the board of directors of HOK, a global design architecture engineering and planning firm employing 16,000 people.   Kay is making an impact for neuro-diverse individuals in the workplace; she has nearly 40 years of experience and is an award-winning, recognized expert on workplace design and strategy issues. She believes we have a moral and ethical obligation to use our skills for a meaningful and positive impact.   Key Takeaways: [3:35] Kay shares her professional interest in neurodiverse-friendly design. [5:03] Kay defines neurodiversity. [6:49] What are some of the challenges that neurodivergent people face in the workplace? [8:42] What is Kay currently doing with her clients? Kay is giving them options, choices, and control. [12:09] Is there a business benefit from this type of inclusive design? [18:09] Kay describes the built environment's impact on people by listing three naib aspects. [20:07] What is the flaw in only considering location and flexibility as the main workplace factors? [22:14] Kay shares some of her current projects. [26:18] What would Kay advise an influential leader? Give people options! [32:03] Dr. Nate shares his top three takeaways from an empowering conversation with Kay Sargent.   Mentioned in this episode: The Compassion Mindset   Compassionate Accountability, How Leaders Build Connections and Get Results, Nate Regier   Next Element Consulting    Visit HOK.com    Tweetables: “Building and designing environments at the service of people with different sensory profiles” #oncompassion   “Every decision that a designer makes about color and textures impacts individuals with different sensory profiles.”   “Since COVID, everyone has a higher sensitivity to their surroundings.”   “When you design for the extremes, you benefit the mean; when you design for the average, you benefit no one.”   “No single business won't benefit from people being happier, healthier, more engaged, more empowered and productive.”   “We have the moral and ethical obligation to really create spaces that are empowering for individuals and inclusive for all.”