In today's episode Judith Germain speaks to Katherine McCord about the power of neurodiversity. They discuss Katherine's neurodiversity and her work as an entrepreneur in people operations consulting. Katherine's different brain wiring influenced her innovative and forward-thinking approach to her work. Judith and Katherine discuss the misconceptions surrounding bipolar disorder and its manifestations. They explain that bipolar disorder involves long periods of ups and downs, with normal periods in between, caused by imbalances in brain chemicals. Katherine discusses her decision not to medicate for her diagnosed condition and instead focuses on holistic self-care and understanding her body's chemistry. She developed a robust system with the help of her psychologist and parents to effectively manage her symptoms and learned to navigate her depressive state by reminding herself of the positive aspects of her life. Katherine shares her strategies for managing depression, and how she used her motivation and mindset to combat the depressed mood and continue moving forward. In this conversation they discuss the importance of debunking myths and biases surrounding neurodiversity and medical diagnoses. They emphasise the need to research and gather accurate information to counteract harmful stereotypes and form appropriate opinions. Whilst discussing OCD - Katherine discusses the importance of seeking alternate information to counteract harmful beliefs. Judith and Katherine discussed the importance of treating everyone as individuals, embracing neurodiversity, and recognsing that neurodiverse individuals have contributed significantly to human progress. They also highlighted the potential evolutionary aspect of neurodiversity and the benefits of embracing honesty and setting boundaries upfront. Judith and Katherine discuss the topic of autism and the unique perspectives and the innocence of individuals on the spectrum. They also mentioned a comedian with autism and how her routine can evoke both laughter and emotional triggers for those who can relate to similar experiences. Katherine McCord is a physically and neurodiverse woman herself. She built her career on inclusive innovation as an entrepreneur in People Operations and HR Tech. She lives by the moto that different is not a deficit, and travels the world sharing this message through speaking and teaching! You can find out more about our guest and today's episode in this Maverick Paradox Magazine article here. --- Maverick leadership is all about thinking outside the box and challenging the status quo. It's about having the courage to take risks and the confidence to lead in a way that is authentic and genuine. But amplifying your influence as a leader isn't just about having a strong vision or a big personality. It's also about having the right leadership capability and being able to execute on your ideas and plans. The consequences of not having the right level of influence as a leader can be significant. Without the ability to inspire and motivate others, you may struggle to achieve your goals and make a real impact. How Influential Are you? Take the scorecard at amplifyyourinfluence.scoreapp.com and see.  Judith's book: The Maverick Paradox: The Secret Power Behind Successful Leaders.  Judith's websites:  The Maverick Paradox Magazine - themaverickparadox.com The Maverick Paradox Website - maverickparadox.co.uk Judith's LinkedIn profile is here, her Twitter profile (MaverickMastery) is here, Facebook here and Instagram here.