How Neurodiversity ERGs Can Deliver Real Impact

"Most organizations are entering 2026 with a familiar set of priorities. One is building greater leadership capability - something that remains under pressure as managers are asked to lead through constant change. Hybrid work and AI continue to reshape how work gets done, forcing teams to rely on tools and processes that did not exist a few years ago. Hiring and retaining Gen Z employees remains a challenge for many. Organizations also continue to re-examine performance and development frameworks to ensure they reward merit throughout."

"Such priorities are widely shared, but what is less widely acknowledged is how dependent they are on an accurate understanding of how people actually think and work. A significant proportion of the workforce does not work in a way that perfectly suits common work norms. And when systems assume a narrow range of work styles, even well-designed initiatives struggle in practice."

"Differences in how people think and work have always existed. What has changed over time is visibility and conversation around this fact. Employees are increasingly (though sometimes nervously) open about their needs, and younger generations expect conversations about work style to be normal rather than exceptional. Indeed, more than half of Gen Zers consider themselves neurodiverse in some way. Neurodiversity Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) took off in the later 2010s, encouraged by major brands' focus on neurodiversity hiring efforts."

Organizations enter 2026 focused on leadership capability, adapting to hybrid work and AI, retaining Gen Z, and rethinking performance and development frameworks. These priorities depend on accurate understanding of how people actually think and work because a significant portion of the workforce does not fit common work norms. Systems that assume a narrow range of work styles cause well-designed initiatives to struggle in practice. Visibility around cognitive and work-style differences has increased, with many employees more open about needs and more than half of Gen Zers considering themselves neurodiverse. Neurodiversity ERGs grew rapidly following hiring-focused efforts by major brands.

Read at Psychology Today