NeuroConversant Leadership

Jeremy Doran
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Effective Communication in the S.T.E.M. workplace. Jeremy is a leadership coach who specializes in helping engineers and other S.T.E.M. professionals become great managers and leaders. Being a great leader requires exceptional communication skills, especially in environments where there are a lot of Neuro-Diverse people. We explore communicating well with people who think, communicate and see the world very differently than most. The world needs this diversity in order to make progress. Leaders who can communicate well across this diversity will set themselves apart from the rest!

  1. 4D AGO

    Why Girls with ADHD, Autism and Dyslexia go Undiagnosed

    Girls with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia are diagnosed three to five times less often than boys — and it's not because they're less affected. It's because they're better at hiding it. In this episode, I break down the three reasons neurodivergent girls go undetected: how socialization teaches them to mask their symptoms, why female brains are naturally better at compensating, and how our diagnostic tools were built entirely on male research subjects. Key Topics: The differences in diagnosis rates between boys and girls for neurodivergent conditionsHow societal socialization encourages girls to mimic behaviors and suppress visible signs of neurodivergenceBiological variations: women excel at decoding facial expressions and verbal skills, which can mask internal strugglesDiagnostic challenges: criteria based on studies of men often overlook how girls and women present different symptomsThe high tendency for women to mask symptoms, leading to emotional exhaustion and misdiagnosis as anxiety or depressionSigns for parents and educators to watch for in quiet or withdrawn children that may suggest neurodivergenceThe importance of listening to personal stories to improve understanding and diagnosis accuracyChapters :00:00 - The significance of communication in neurodivergence and leadership0:18 - Why girls are underdiagnosed in neurodivergency and societal influences0:48 - Social training for girls: reading the room, regulating emotions, and mimicking1:16 - The impact of neurodivergence on social behavior and masking strategies2:13 - Fidgeting and behaviors often suppressed or ignored2:27 - Gender differences in physical signs and diagnosis timing2:57 - Brain differences: emotional cue recognition and masking skills3:26 - Brain scan insights and gender variations in autism, ADHD, and dyslexia3:57 - Developmental language skills as a diagnostic mask4:26 - How diagnostic criteria are based predominantly on male populations4:56 - Disparities in dyslexia diagnosis rates between sexes and the masking phenomenon5:37 - Adult diagnosis challenges and symptoms of burnout and exhaustion6:16 - The discrepancy between diagnosis rates and actual prevalence6:39 - Masking as an emotional and physical toll on women7:07 - Consequences of masking: exhaustion, anxiety, depression7:36 - Recognizing the core issues behind symptoms and burnout8:02 - The importance of awareness for parents and educators8:30 - Encouragement for sharing stories to improve understanding and diagnosis8:53 - Connecting on LinkedIn to share experiences and support Connect with Jeremy linkedin.com/in/jeremydoranspeaks

    8 min

  2. MAR 5

    The Engineer Who Designed His Own Leadership Path - with Dominic Bowlin

    What does it look like when a technical professional doesn't just fall into leadership — but intentionally designs their path there? In this episode of NeuroConversant Leadership, Jeremy Doran sits down with Dominic Bowlin, Engineering Manager at JBC Technologies, to unpack one of the most deliberate career transitions you'll hear about in the STEM world: moving from individual contributor to people leader with a plan. Dominic shares how a materials engineer with a passion for polymers and mechanical systems found himself leading a team of 8–10 engineers across 40+ machines, two shifts, and hundreds of active customers — and how a great mentor helped him build the roadmap to get there. If you've ever wondered how to grow into leadership on purpose, how to communicate across departments with completely different thinking styles, or how to let go of the technical work so your team can grow — this episode is for you. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why the biggest constraints for technical professionals aren't technical — they're communication, prioritization, and capacity alignmentHow to use influence before you have authority — and why that's what gets you the titleThe real reason delegation is an investment, not a shortcutHow to separate intent from impact when navigating conflict between engineering, sales, quality, and operationsWhy understanding personality styles is the "irrational variable" engineers never account for — and how to fix thatHow to know whether you're wired for leadership or the individual contributor track — before you make the wrong moveWhy simplicity, transparency, and trust-building are the foundation of effective technical leadershipTIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction — Dominic's background in materials engineering and manufacturing02:46 – The shift from individual contributor to manager: hands-on vs. hands-off04:17 – The hardest part of leading technical people: letting go of the fun stuff05:29 – Why delegation is an investment, not a shortcut06:20 – How Dominic designed his own leadership path inside a growing company08:35 – Mentorship: how a great boss helped Dominic build a career development plan12:17 – Choosing your path: leadership vs. senior individual contributor19:00 – Conflict resolution in manufacturing: separating intent from impact21:19 – How to communicate across departments with different thinking styles23:26 – DISC, Culture Index, and Surrounded by Idiots — tools Dominic swears by25:26 – Why personality training changes your home life, not just your work life26:49 – Dominic's one piece of advice: keep it simple, credible, and groundedRESOURCES MENTIONED Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson — a four-personality framework for understanding communication stylesDISC Personality Assessment — used by Dominic's team for interviewing, onboarding, and leadership developmentCulture Index — used at JBC Technologies to gauge personality tendencies across the organizationJBC Technologies — engineering-led die cutting and converting companyConnect with Dominic Bowlin on LinkedInCALL TO ACTION Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to NeuroConversant Leadership on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. New episodes drop every Thursday. If you're a technical professional navigating the leap into leadership — or you lead engineers and need to close the communication gap — visit jeremydoran.com to learn about keynote speaking and coaching programs. Leave a review. Share this episode. Tag a technical professional who needs to hear it

    26 min

  3. FEB 26

    Why Poor Communication is Costing Your Business (And How to Fix It) I Joe Fields

    What's the real cost of bad communication in your workplace? Joe Fields—author of The Bucket List Coach and small business performance coach with 30 years in accounting and finance—breaks down how culture, trust, and team communication directly impact your bottom line. Joe shares how he saved one client over $150,000 in his first six weeks by focusing not on spreadsheets, but on people. From building cultures of trust to why small business owners struggle to let go of control, this conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone leading a team. In this episode: Why team culture is a financial strategy, not just a feel-good conceptThe difference between rules and standards—and which one your team will actually followWhy clear, direct communication is the #1 reason people leave companiesHow to know when to pick up the phone instead of sending another emailThe "greater fool" mindset every successful entrepreneur needsWhat Nick Saban's coaching philosophy can teach you about accountability📘 The Bucket List Coach is available on Amazon🌐 thebucketlistcoach.com Connect with Joe Fields: thebucketlistcoach.com About NeuroConversant Leadership: I help engineers and technical professionals transition from individual contributors to confident leaders and communicators. New episodes every Thursday.

    24 min

  4. FEB 12

    Mastery vs Ego: Why Great Leaders Know When to Quit | Sebastien Page, T. Rowe Price CIO

    Sebastien Page, Chief Investment Officer at T. Rowe Price, shares unconventional leadership wisdom from 25 years managing high-performing teams. Discover why the best leaders listen more than they talk, why strategic quitting beats stubborn perseverance, and how stress can actually improve your performance. Key Takeaways: Mastery vs ego orientation - competing with your former self, not othersWhy knowing when to quit is the most underrated leadership skillThe Yerkes-Dodson curve: how stress improves performance (up to a point)Goal-setting beyond KPIs: why relationships matter more than wealthThe "clear your slides" technique that instantly improves presentationsHow to reframe stress as activation for better performanceSebastien's book: The Psychology of Leadership (available on Amazon)Connect with Sebastien on LinkedIn.com/in/sebastien-page

    36 min

  5. FEB 5

    Scaling with Fractional Teams: E-commerce CEO on Hiring, Training & Automation

    Joseph Anderson, CEO of Connex E-commerce, shares his 16-year journey from software sales to building an automation company that helps e-commerce businesses sync orders between selling channels and accounting systems. In this conversation, we discuss: Transitioning from corporate employee to entrepreneur (and doubling his income in year one)Building training systems from scratch when hiring your first employeesThe challenges of onboarding and managing remote teams across the US and IndiaWhy 80% of his team is now fractional consultants and contractorsHis hiring mistakes through LinkedIn (90% turnover) and what he learnedThe difference between promoting from within vs. hiring outside expertiseUsing agencies for SEO, marketing, and development instead of full-time hiresHis straightforward approach to communication and setting clear expectationsKey takeaway: Small businesses don't always need full-time employees for every role. Strategic use of fractional talent and agencies can provide expert-level skills without the overhead. Connect with Joseph Anderson: Connex E-commerce: https://www.myconnex.comBooks & Coaching: https://www.josephmanderson.comAbout NeuroConversant Leadership:I help engineers and technical professionals transition from individual contributors to confident leaders and communicators. New episodes every Thursday.

    20 min

  6. JAN 29

    Skip the Meeting: Alternatives Do Exist! #132

    90% of people describe their meetings as unproductive, and yet they spent one third to one half of their time in them! In this episode, we talk to Chris Fenning who recently published a book titled "Effective Meetings: Great Results. Less Pain. Every Time." We explore how to make meetings more productive, or how they can be replaced by something more productive and less time consuming. Learn more about Chris at www.ChrisFenning.com Takeaways Effective communication is crucial in STEM leadership. Frameworks can help engineers communicate more clearly. Understanding the audience's intent is key to effective conversations. Meetings should have a clear purpose and output. Avoid unnecessary meetings to improve productivity. Meeting-free days can significantly boost team efficiency. Identify the right participants for each meeting. Clear meeting invitations enhance engagement and relevance. Virtual meetings have increased but can lead to disengagement. Pausing before speaking can improve communication quality. Chapters 02:03 Frameworks for Clear and Concise Communication 08:21 Understanding Intent and Audience in Conversations 13:44 The Importance of Effective Meetings 19:25 When to Hold a Meeting: Key Considerations 22:54 The Impact of Meeting-Free Days on Productivity 28:47 Identifying the Right Participants for Meetings 32:28 Avoiding Unnecessary Meeting Invitations 37:34 The Rise of Virtual Meetings and Their Challenges 44:20 Conclusion and Key Takeaway on Communication

    45 min

  7. JAN 22

    How does AI affect Leadership & Communication? #131

    How much do you use AI? Is it something that you want to find ways to use in every task you do, or is it something that you avoid out of fear or because it just doesn't feel right to use? AI is just a tool, albeit a very powerful one. Like all tools, it isn't good or bad on it's own, only in the way it is used. Takeaways AI is a revolutionary tool that helps accomplish tasks. The benefits of AI include making tasks faster, cheaper, and better. AI can help individuals get started on daunting projects. A significant percentage of US adults use AI regularly. Many employees feel the need to hide their AI usage from employers. Using AI is often viewed as taking the easy way out. The perception of AI usage is constantly evolving. Transparency in AI usage is crucial for trust and understanding. AI can significantly reduce research time and improve writing quality. Time saved through AI can be redirected to more valuable activities. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI in Leadership 01:10 Understanding AI as a Tool 03:41 Benefits of AI: Faster, Cheaper, Better 08:56 The Stigma of AI Usage 10:41 Personal Experiences with AI 14:44 Conclusion and Call for Engagement

    16 min

  8. JAN 15

    Bridging the Gap between Engineering and Product Management: 130 with James Charlesworth

    When two different departments need to work together, communication can get tricky. In this episode of Neuroconversion Leadership, Jeremy Doran speaks with James Charlesworth, a director of engineering at Pendo, about the intricacies of communication and leadership in the STEM workplace. They discuss the challenges faced by engineers and product managers in aligning their goals, the importance of effective delegation, and the need for active listening. James shares insights on transitioning from an individual contributor to a managerial role, the significance of hiring diverse teams, and strategies for facilitating effective meetings. The conversation emphasizes the responsibility of communication and the value of creating frameworks that allow all team members to contribute effectively. Learn more about James on Linkedin at linkedin.com/in/jamesjcharlesworth or his webpage,www.traintocode.com

    35 min
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Effective Communication in the S.T.E.M. workplace. Jeremy is a leadership coach who specializes in helping engineers and other S.T.E.M. professionals become great managers and leaders. Being a great leader requires exceptional communication skills, especially in environments where there are a lot of Neuro-Diverse people. We explore communicating well with people who think, communicate and see the world very differently than most. The world needs this diversity in order to make progress. Leaders who can communicate well across this diversity will set themselves apart from the rest!

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