5 BYTES FRIDAY Issue#11

Five bite-sized snippets of insight and things to explore.

Hi All!

Welcome to our new look newsletter! We've moved systems, tidied up content and slapped on a new lick of paint for this month's edition. Let us know what you think!

What I’m reading

I have just finished reading a really useful book called Unmasked by Ellie Middleton. As the cover promotes, it is a "guide to ADHD, autism, and neurodivergence".

Even though I work in the space, I have learnt a lot from reading this book. It has given me a greater understanding of the diversity of neurodivergent people's struggles and how those struggles might 'show up'.

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I highly recommend this book to anyone who is related to, works with, or suspects they might be neurodivergent (which is pretty much everyone, really). My main insight is that society, and particularly the work environment, is still not inclusive of neurodivergent brains.

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Earlier diagnosis in schools and particularly for marginalised groups of people. As well as small accommodations in the workplace, like working flexibility, being more sensitive to sensory overload and clearer communication.

This could make a huge difference to neurotypical brains as well as those who struggle with these issues—making a more inclusive and productive environment for all.

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Quote I'm Pondering

Rick Rubin - The Creative Act: A Way of Being​

The question is how we work with and harness that productive energy.

What I’m listening to while working

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Recently, I have been obsessing about Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, particularly their 2005 quintessential indie rock hit "Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth".

I can't quite explain why.

It could be its irregular rhythms, low-fi synth, unexpected melodic changes, or off-kilter instrumentation.

Whatever it is, it's got me hooked. Speaking of which, its driving 'Hooky' style bass almost guarantees a more productive day!

To me, it's a mystery why this track didn't achieve more mainstream success.

But maybe I'm just a bit weird!

Framework I am working with at the moment.

Less of a framework and more of an approach I have been using with clients recently in problem-based brainstorming.

​The Six Thinking Hats is a problem-solving method developed by Edward de Bono, which employs six distinct perspectives—symbolised by different coloured hats—to simplify and organise thinking processes.

This method facilitates more structured and comprehensive brainstorming sessions by allowing individuals or teams to explore issues from multiple angles systematically.
It's also quite fun to guess which hats participants will choose and then switch their roles mid-exercise!

This generates better results and helps the team emphasise with different viewpoints.

Reach out if you'd like to explore how this could be used in your organisation.

What I’m Celebrating

​Earth Day is around the corner on 22nd April, so I thought it would be great to celebrate this and give you five reasons why your organisation should support it too!

Here are five reasons why your business should get involved:

1. Organisational Responsibility—Engaging in Earth Day activities demonstrates a company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, which is increasingly important to consumers, investors, and other stakeholders.
2. Brand Loyalty—Participating in Earth Day can enhance a company’s brand by aligning with its values of sustainability and conservation. Consumers are more likely to support businesses that share their values and take action.
3. Innovation Benefits—Earth Day initiatives can spur innovation within organisations, prompting the development of sustainable technologies and practices. This innovation reduces environmental impact, improves operational efficiencies, and reduces costs.
4. Employee Engagement—Companies that actively participate in Earth Day events can foster a positive workplace environment by engaging employees in meaningful activities that reflect their values.
5. Regulatory Compliance—Supporting Earth Day can help businesses stay ahead of regulatory requirements regarding sustainability. By being proactive, companies can avoid the risks associated with non-compliance.

Here's this month's article from the archive: