Camouflage Culture: The Cost of Blending In To Be "Normal"
To celebrate Conscious Curiosity Season 2, we're posting not one but two episodes in this first week back.
In this episode of Conscious Curiosity, Franck and Liz explore a 2023 study on workplace masking.
We explore how masking shows up across different neurotypes, why people do it, and the toll it takes on mental health, identity, and job satisfaction. From internalised ableism to professional “game-playing,” this conversation is a deep dive into how we present ourselves... and why.
We also share personal reflections on masking in coaching, public speaking, and day-to-day working life, as well as:
- What employers need to understand about masking
- The relationship between masking and progression
- Striking disparities in employment and income
- Whether neurodivergence is a slice of who you are - or baked into the whole cake
🎧 This one’s for anyone who's ever felt they had to tone themselves down to fit in - or ramp themselves up to be seen.
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🧠 Connect directly with Neurodiversity in the Workplace Coach Franck Brown:
https://www.consciousclarity.co.uk/get-in-touch
www.linkedin.com/in/franckbrown
[email protected]
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🧠 Connect directly with Business Psychologist & Neurodiversity Coach Liz Mulhall:
www.linkedin.com/in/lizmulhall
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Link to today's academic paper: The workplace masking experiences of autistic, non-autistic neurodivergent and neurotypical adults in the UK by Pryke-Hobbes et al. (2023)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10482295/
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As ever, thanks for listening - catch you next episode!