Neurodiversity is not a niche, it’s a daily reality in every workplace. Yet most work environments are still designed around an implicit norm: that of the neurotypical employee. What does that mean for people who process stimuli, make choices, interact socially, and manage energy differently?

In this keynote, Anton Maes takes you into the tension between “the good and the bad” of neuro-inclusivity. He challenges the often oversimplified talent narrative and shows how the same trait can be both a strength and a vulnerability, depending on the context.

Drawing on his expertise as a workplace strategist and organizational psychologist, he reframes this into a crucial question:
How do we design work environments that don’t demand more from people, but are better aligned with their natural variation?

Using concrete examples and insights on topics such as variety anxiety, energy management (spoon theory), and the ABC of well-being, he demonstrates:

• why freedom of choice does not always lead to autonomy
• how variation can turn into cognitive overload
• and why inclusion is fundamentally a design challenge

This keynote goes beyond theory and offers practical guidance on:

• workplace concepts and zoning
• behavioral agreements and social norms
• and change management that takes different perspectives into account

For organizations ready to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach toward a workplace that truly works for everyone.