86: Full Episode Navigating Psychosocial Safety in Neurodivergent Workplaces with Ben Walkenhorst
Dear Dyslexic PodcastShow Notes
In this Dear Dyslexic podcast episode, Dr Shae speaks with consultant and leader Ben Walkenhorst about psychosocial hazards and how to create psychologically safe workplaces, especially for neurodivergent people.
Ben shares his background (20+ years’ experience across sectors and leading teams up to 200) and his lived experience of dyslexia, including an auditory component and visual stress helped by Irlen lenses, which he says transformed his learning outcomes. He explains psychological safety as an environment where people can speak up without judgment or retaliation, and outlines three key factors: great leadership, job design/job demands, and environmental factors. Ben gives examples from remote work and local government process redesign, discusses clear role expectations, supportive feedback practices, reasonable adjustments, and why training and new legislation make this work essential.
00:00 Welcome to Dear Dyslexic
00:34 Meet Ben Walkenhorst
04:15 Ben’s Dyslexia Story
07:40 Irlen Lenses and What Works
09:25 Personal Strategies and Self Awareness
12:04 Psychological Safety Explained
16:25 Job Design and Workload
23:12 Environmental Adjustments That Help
26:21 Neurodivergence Trip Hazards at Work
36:52 Feedback Without Triggers
43:46 Why Leader Training Matters
46:30 Business Case and Legal Duties
48:41 Wrap Up and Next Steps
About Dear Dyslexic Podcast The Dear Dyslexic Podcast amplifies the voices, experiences and expertise of people from the dyslexia and broader neurodivergent communities, creating conversations that inform, empower and inspire. Learn more about re:think dyslexia: https://rethinkdyslexia.com.au/
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