The Canary Code: A Guide to Neurodiversity, Dignity, and Intersectional Belonging at Work

by Ludmila N. Praslova PhD

Overview

Featured on the 2024 Top 10 Best New Management Books list by Thinkers50, the global authority on management thinking.

“Exclusion robs people of opportunities, and it robs organizations of talent. In the long run, exclusionary systems are lose-lose.”

How do we build win-win organizational systems?

From a member of the Thinkers50 2024 Radar cohort of global management thinkers most likely to impact workplaces and the first person to have written for Harvard Business Review from an autistic perspective comes The Canary Code—a guide to win-win workplaces.

Healthy systems that support talent most impacted by organizational ills—canaries in the coal mine—support everyone.


Currently, despite their skills and work ethics, members of ADHD, autism, Tourette Syndrome, learning differences, and related communities face drastic barriers to hiring and advancement. In the U.S., 30-40% of neurodivergent people and 85% of autistic college graduates struggle with unemployment. Like canaries in the mine, they are impacted by issues that ultimately harm everyone. Lack of flexibility, transparency, and psychological safety excludes neurodivergent, disabled, and multiply marginalized talent—and leaves most employees stressed and disengaged.

This unique book is a guide to change-making for CEOs, managers, HR leaders, and everyone who wants to contribute to building a more inclusive world.

The authors’ over 25 years of experience spanning global diversity to neurodiversity leadership and extensive research on innovative practices of uniquely inclusive organizations around the world inform this books’:

• Explicitly intersectional approach to (neuro)inclusion
• Holistic understanding of humans and their social, cognitive, emotional, and physical differences.
• Holistic approach to organizational talent practices, from creating job descriptions and recruiting to onboarding, performance management, and leadership development.
• A globally inclusive approach that centers, celebrates and invites multiple voices from the neurodivergent community.
• A “lead from where you are” approach to change-making.

This groundbreaking book combines the lived experience with academic rigor, innovative thought leadership, and lively, accessible writing. To support different types of readers, academic, applied, and lived experience content is clearly identified, helping readers choose their own adventure.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781523005840
Publisher:	Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Publication date:	05/07/2024
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	151,221
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 6.20(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Ludmila N. Praslova, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, is Professor of Psychology and the founding Director of Graduate Programs in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Vanguard University of Southern California. Prior to her academic career, she built and led successful intercultural relations programs in global organizations. Her current consulting is focused on supporting organizations in creating systemic inclusion informed by an understanding of neurodiversity. Her other areas of expertise include organizational culture assessment and change, workplace justice and civility, productivity and well-being, and training and training evaluation. She is the editor of the upcoming book Evidence-Based Organizational Practices for Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Equity (Cambridge Scholars). She is a member of the Thinkers50 Radar Class of 2024, a cohort of 30 up-and-coming thinkers whose ideas are predicted to shape management in the coming years.

Editorial Reviews

"This bold, compassionate, and ambitious book aims to do nothing less than to redesign workplaces so that every employee has the support they need to achieve success. Full of practical insights, it's a comprehensive blueprint for a future in which all kinds of minds can work together for collective benefit." 
—Steve Silberman, author, NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity
 
“The Canary Code fills an important gap in management literature about neurodiversity and inclusion at work. It illuminates and inspires, and it provides practical guidance for leaders who want to create systems that support different types of talent while producing positive outcomes and a healthy workplace for all.”
—Abbie Lundberg, editor in chief, MIT Sloan Management Review

“The Canary Code is a game-changing look at organizational leadership and diversity. This work is a paradigm shift in moving away from outdated practices and developing inclusive talent systems where everyone can thrive.”
—Dorie Clark, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game and executive education faculty, Duke University Fuqua School of Business
 
“The Canary Code is a timely, wise, and life-giving book—a must-read for those seeking to grow as leaders, especially those in marginalized populations who identify as neurodivergent, highly sensitive, or introverted, and for everyone aiming to make a positive difference in their organizations.”
—Karen An-hwei Lee, Provost and Professor of English, Wheaton College
 
“An enlightening guide for holistic neuroinclusion at work.”
—Deepa Purushothaman, author of The First, the Few, the Only

“Where has this book been my whole life? As a family member of and friend to many neurodivergent people and as a coach to neurodivergent leaders, I wished this thoughtful, helpful book had been written decades ago. But it’s here now, and nobody should wait another minute to dig into the rich insights and practical approaches that Dr. Praslova offers.”
—Deborah Riegel, coauthor of Go to Help
 
“Give everyone in your organization a copy of this, read it together, and then open your eyes to the magic of the multiple layers of diverse people with whom you’ve been gifted. Embrace them, welcome them, and ultimately, learn to include them. None of us are included until we’re all included.”
—Ron Carucci, Managing Partner, Navalent, and bestselling author of Rising to Power and To Be Honest
 
“The Canary Code is a road map to creating more compassionate workplaces that bring out the best in everyone. This is a must-read for all who want to be effective allies.”
—Lan Nguyen Chaplin, Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications, Northwestern University
 
“As the head of people operations at a financial services company, I find The Canary Code both informative and practical. This hands-on information can assist companies in cultivating cultures of belonging, attracting top talent, and retaining diverse employees, providing an edge in today’s competitive business world. The Canary Code delivers on arming companies with the facts about neurodiversity and offers salient executable ideas.”
—Ashly Williams, Senior Director of People Operations, Veri-Tax

From the Publisher