Inclusive Until Further Notice

— How to Stay Grounded When the World Shifts We’ve lived through a brief and hopeful chapter where the words diversity, inclusion, neurodivergence and mental health finally made it to the front of the room. Policies were drafted, panels were held, and HR departments learned how to say “bring your whole self to work” with a straight face. And yet… something in the air feels different now. Like the music’s still playing, but the chairs are quietly being removed.

5/9/20252 min read

Is the party really over?
Maybe not. Maybe this is just a pause. Or maybe the world is changing again — economically, politically, socially — and inclusion is becoming more of a checkbox than a commitment. Either way, it’s worth asking: how do we move through this next season without losing our balance, our integrity, or ourselves?

Because no, it’s not fair. It’s not fair that women (and especially neurodivergent women) have to carry this internal negotiation. How much do I share? How honest can I be? Will this be met with understanding, or will it quietly cost me?

Here's the hard truth:
You don’t owe your full story to anyone who hasn’t earned it. And no matter how progressive a company appears on paper, the day-to-day reality often depends on individual managers, team cultures, and the invisible expectations you’re supposed to read without being told.

So what do you do?
You protect yourself — not by shrinking, but by becoming strategically visible. By knowing what you need. By translating your ADHD (or your unique working style) into language that resonates in your environment. Not “I struggle with time blindness,” but:
➡ “I prioritize best when there’s strategic clarity and visual timelines.”
Not “I have executive dysfunction,” but:
➡ “To stay sharp, I keep meetings short and actionable — and I follow up in writing to ensure alignment.”

This is not hiding. This is leading with clarity and strength — in a language your workplace understands.

A final note on fairness
The world isn’t fair. Not right now, and possibly not for a while. But that doesn’t mean you have to play small. You can still take up space — wisely, intentionally, on your terms.

We don’t know yet how this next chapter unfolds. Maybe we’ll be surprised by compassion. Maybe not. But being cautious doesn’t mean being fearful. It means being prepared.

And you, more than most, know how to navigate complexity.

So take care of yourself. Speak wisely. And don’t wait for permission to build your own version of balance.

Download the free paper ADHD at Work — What to Share and What to save about openness in the workplace

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Inclusive Until Further Notice

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