If you are a neurodivergent professional, you might have spent years feeling like you are "difficult" or "underperforming." You might see colleagues breeze through tasks that feel like climbing a mountain for you.
When you struggle with things like open-plan offices, vague instructions, or constant "small talk," it is easy to internalize that as a personal failure. You might think, "I’m just bad at this."
At Diversity-Lock, we want to change that narrative. You aren't bad at work. You are simply in an environment that wasn't built for your brain. This is often called the Social Model of Disability: the idea that a person is "disabled" by the barriers in society (or the office), not by their own condition.
The "Fish Out of Water" Effect
Think of it this way: if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.
Many modern workplaces are "trees." They are designed for neurotypical standards of social interaction, sensory processing, and executive function. If you are a "fish"—brilliant at deep focus, pattern recognition, or creative problem-solving—you will struggle to climb that tree.
Signs you are in a "Wrong-Fit" environment:
Sensory Overload: You spend 50% of your energy just trying to ignore the hum of the fridge or the person talking two desks away.
The "Vague Instruction" Trap: You are told to "just get started on that report," but you aren't told the format, the deadline, or the specific goal.
Performance via Presence: Your boss cares more about you being "at your desk" than the actual quality of the code or content you produce.
Constant Context-Switching: You are expected to jump between five different meetings and three chat apps all day, breaking your ability to enter a "flow state."
What a "Right-Fit" Environment Looks Like
When the environment changes, "struggles" often turn into "strengths." A supportive environment removes the structural locks that hold you back.
Asynchronous Communication: Using tools like Slack or email for updates so you have a written record and time to process information before responding.
Outcome-Based Management: Being judged on the work you finish, not the hours you spend sitting in a specific chair.
Sensory Autonomy: Having the freedom to wear noise-canceling headphones, use dim lighting, or work from home when the office is too loud.
Explicit Clarity: Managers who provide "Definition of Done" checklists so you never have to guess what "good" looks like.
Reframing Your Career Path
If you are currently struggling, it is time to stop asking, "What is wrong with me?" and start asking, "What is wrong with this setup?"
Audit your energy: Which tasks make you feel capable? Which tasks make you feel drained? Usually, the "draining" tasks are caused by environmental friction, not the work itself.
Look for "Neuro-Inclusive" signals: Does the company mention flexibility? Do they have clear documentation? Do they value "deep work"?
Advocate for Adjustments: Sometimes, the environment can be fixed. Small changes—like getting meeting agendas 24 hours in advance—can completely change your performance.
The Bottom Line
You have skills that companies desperately need: high-level logic, intense focus, and the ability to see things others miss. If you feel like you are failing, it is likely because your "operating system" is being forced to run on incompatible hardware.
You don't need to be "fixed." You need to be unlocked.