The Canary Code and What Neurodivergent Employees Are Trying to Tell You with Ludmila Praslova

What if the employees struggling most in your workplace are actually detecting problems everyone else will eventually feel? Dr. Ludmila Praslova, organizational psychologist and author of The Canary Code, joins Brandon Laws to unpack why neurodivergent employees are often the first to feel workplace dysfunction and why that signal matters for everyone. From rethinking job postings and ditching "culture fit" hiring to fixing performance reviews that punish personality instead of measuring outcomes, this conversation is packed with practical ideas leaders can act on now. If you've ever wondered why your best people keep leaving or why your culture feels off despite good intentions, this episode will challenge how you think about inclusion, belonging, and what a healthy workplace actually looks like. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction and sponsor message 2:12 Meet Dr. Ludmila Praslova and The Canary Code 4:18 Why neurodivergent employees feel workplace dysfunction first 7:30 Defining neurodivergence and who it includes 9:42 Why the business case for inclusion can actually backfire 11:30 What holistic inclusion means and why people aren't brains on a stick 13:45 The six principles of the Canary Code framework 16:42 Culture fit vs. culture add and why we keep hiring clones 19:15 How to rewrite job postings that attract different kinds of talent 22:15 Pre-onboarding and setting up belonging before day one 24:30 Productivity theater vs. real outcomes 26:45 The story of Charlie and fixing performance management 28:30 Supporting neurodivergent leaders who are hiding in plain sight 32:00 The Glastonbury moment and what true belonging looks like 34:30 Where to connect with Dr. Praslova A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR Host: Brandon Laws In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders." About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more Connect with Brandon Laws: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonlaws Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandonlaws About: https://xeniumhr.com/about-xenium/meet-the-team/brandon-laws/ Connect with Xenium HR: Website: https://xeniumhr.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xenaboratories Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XeniumHR Twitter: https://twitter.com/XeniumHR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xeniumhr YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/xeniumhr

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