Danielle Cudjoe-Michalski
Thinking Light Coach is an innovative organisation founded by Danielle Cudjoe-Michalski, an entrepreneur dedicated to revolutionising coaching and mentoring for neurodivergent professionals. The primary focus of Thinking Light Coach is to provide comprehensive support and guidance to neurodivergent individuals as they navigate their professional journeys. The organisation offers tailored mentoring and coaching programmes to empower neurodivergent people, helping them create effective coping strategies and succeed in their chosen fields.
Thinking Light Coach promotes a neuro-inclusive culture by providing training and consulting services that help businesses develop an environment that embraces and accommodates neurodiversity.
As a neurodivergent individual, Danielle's journey has uniquely positioned her to understand the challenges others face in similar circumstances. Her first-hand experiences have allowed her to develop empathetic and practical strategies to support neurodivergent professionals and advocate for their needs. We sat down with Danielle and delved deeper into the change Thinking Light Coach is making:
What motivated you to establish Thinking Light Coach, and how has your personal experience shaped your understanding of mental health and its impact on the entrepreneurial journey?
Firstly, I want to disclose that I am neurodiverse. I have dyslexia with traits of ADHD and dyspraxia, so I can personally relate to the challenges. I have been with my organisation for about twenty years, and during the first ten years, I was unaware of the significance of my dyslexia, which I was diagnosed with then. I was focused on other pursuits and didn't prioritise understanding and addressing my neurodiversity.
However, my perspective changed when I began working in the neurodiverse field and learning from various individuals. Recently, I received a new diagnosis that has prompted me to question various aspects of my career, job, and life. This experience has made me realise the value I can bring, whether it's creating inclusive environments, providing individual coaching, supporting newcomers to the workforce who require educational assistance, or helping those diagnosed later in life.
Please describe your journey of starting your organisation and how the journey unfolded, and/or where you are now.
I was a project manager at a prominent pharmaceutical company and founded an employee resource group focused on neurodiversity. The platform garnered substantial support within my organisation. While receiving feedback on my coaching and mentoring efforts internally and externally, I pursued a coaching qualification and began contemplating the direction I wanted to take. As I delved deeper into the matter, it became evident that entering the coaching business was my desired path. One significant realisation was the lack of support available to individuals outside the workplace, particularly professionals from the "miss" generation (recently diagnosed as adults or during childhood). It was this realisation that led me to establish my coaching business.
The pivotal moments occurred during the administrative aspects of starting my business. Tasks such as creating a business canvas and delivering a pitch went beyond understanding how to craft a pitch deck. These experiences solidified my confidence in discussing my business and provided a profound understanding of my "why." This clarity has been crucial in navigating moments of doubt or facing assumptions or comments about my business. It has helped me maintain focus.
Since then, I have obtained my coaching qualification and commissions for various paid services. This entire journey has prompted me to reassess my value. I have also conducted corporate training sessions and workshops, sharing my expertise based on my limited experience in coaching. This has further enriched my understanding of the field. I am expanding my reach by participating in speaking events, leveraging my network, and building my brand and coaching brand. It is essential to ensure that my brand aligns with the values of my audience and community. These experiences have been invaluable to me on this journey.
What role do self-acceptance and self-care play in maintaining good mental health for neurodivergent entrepreneurs? How do you encourage these practices within your coaching and mentoring?
A significant aspect to consider here is the practice of self-care. Self-care holds different meanings for different individuals. It can range from prioritising sufficient sleep to exercising and nourishing oneself through proper nutrition. Engaging in deeper discussions and explorations is crucial to understand how we show up for ourselves.
Understanding oneself is of utmost importance. We must comprehend how our brains function, identifying areas where we excel, areas that could benefit from support, and areas that may present challenges. This knowledge then contributes to self-acceptance, acknowledging and working within our limits.
Establishing boundaries and embracing the concept is also vital. There have been instances when opportunities arose that required me to decline due to my energy levels or to defer them to a later time. I have discovered the significance of accepting and honouring my time and personal space needs. Engaging in authentic and open discussions, which many people tend to overlook but should have, is a valuable tool that should be considered.
Having conversations with a mentor about your experiences is also essential. It opens our eyes to the realisation that we are not alone and challenges internal narratives about our self-perception.
In summary, people need to grasp the power of sharing stories, engaging in conversations with others, and harnessing the transformative potential of coaching. Coaching is truly beneficial for everyone, but for neurodivergent individuals, it can create a safe space to deepen their self-understanding and allocate the necessary time and space for personal growth.
What was your experience with our DiNN programme and how did it help shape your business?
One of the many benefits of the programme was connecting with other cohort participants. There are two specifically that I still communicate with, so much so, that we have an accountability group where we check in with each other twice a month. This has not only helped me in cultivating meaningful relationships but in having access to opportunities.
The programme has also helped me build my understanding of how my business can evolve by leveraging resources. I still use the business canvas and regularly reflect on techniques that were provided. As a neurodivergent, pitching my business a the end of the programme was a learning curve. I won third place. It taught me a lot about resilience and knowing what opportunities are available for my business from a financial perspective.
What legacy would you like to leave behind?
The notion of legacy holds significant importance for me. Particularly within my current organisation and in the event that I transition to full-time entrepreneurship, I aspire to leave behind a safe space where individuals can experience and understand the essence of a neurodiverse and neuro-inclusive workplace culture. I aim to establish a strong core team and generate data and information that supports and empowers individuals.
In terms of my business, I want to forge a legacy by effecting positive change in individuals' lives and enabling organisations to comprehend the importance of neurodiversity and inclusion. I seek to integrate these concepts seamlessly into standard training practices. I intend for neurodiversity and inclusion not to be segregated terms but deeply ingrained within the organisational culture's fabric. I want individuals to be aware of these concepts, understand their meaning, and recognise the significance of effective communication and collaboration within and beyond the workplace. Raising awareness and fostering genuine acceptance can encourage fruitful collaboration, foster innovation, and ultimately contribute to positive global change. This is a conviction that I wholeheartedly embrace, and I hope that through my efforts and my legacy, I can contribute, even if in a small way, to the realisation of this vision.
