@helena-pleinert
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‘when it‘s about creativity and innovation, working together with other ND‘s is so much more inspiring, more efficient and high paced but also much more fun’ – I feel the same! 🙂
Thank you again for this initiative! It was a great meeting
The best for me was really when I heard gasps from the other participants when I mentioned and described a situation where I had been excluded, likely because people where uncomfortable with my otherness. I am so used to it that most people, including well meaning friends, cannot relate and don’t react much. Those gasps really meant a lot!
I think that for you one-on-one networking could be much better – just set up coffee meetings ‘for catching up’ with everyone you can think of. So yes, in the setting up phase it would probably be best to not tell them that the main point is that you are looking for a job. But as soon as you are face to face with them (per video, or physical) you can tell them – people accept that in one-on-one meetings. And: just as you are direct about what you need – you could ask them just as directly if there is something you can do for them – they will appreciate. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.
Personally I have eliminated 95% of all group networking from my agenda since many years (I am not looking for a job but allways looking to acquire business)
I agree with what has been said in the previous comments: one should unmask only in environments that we know are inclusive, or in environments where we have no stake in whatever others think – but be careful in environments where people may not be prepared to accept neurodiversity – or avoid those environments where possible. And if this is not possible in the short term – look for ways, e.g. career choices that will allow avoiding the bad environments most of the time.
As an example, for me having my own business allows me to avoid unwelcoming environments, at least part of the time.
And to your core question: how? I think in an inclusive environment it’s easy – just do it: like learning to swim, or to ride a bike.
Also, in my experience, what is mask and what is self can evolve. I started masking when I started working in my twenties, but when I was in my late fourties, I came to the conclusion that I no longer cared and I stopped masking, and it was a great relief, but I realized that part of the mask had become part of me.
