How to Work with Neurodivergent People: Context Switching Edition

The Mental Tax of Context-Switching (And Why I Prep Like Hell for My Talent)

I see her shifting in her seat. That subtle micro-movement that tells me I’m about to lose her.

She’s trying to stay present, but I can tell: if I don’t pivot now, I’ll lose the thread.

I haven’t even asked the most important question yet.

“Okay, that’s it for guest pitches. This brand is wondering if they can tweak the concept you approved…”

Her body language changes immediately. She re-engages. Her eyes sharpen.

And I make a mental note:

Tag your questions. Group them by topic. Don’t jump around.

It sounds small. But when you’re working with neurodivergent talent,every context switch is a mental tax.

The more scattered I am in how I ask, the less I get in return.

Now I prep a table before every meeting. Check out my Monday.com table below.

Guest pitches in one block. Brand deals in another. Personal logistics last.

I even build in verbal signposting within my notes. Little segues like, “Switching gears now…” or “Can I move to the next thing?”

The result?

Meetings are shorter. Everyone’s less drained. And I walk away with clear answers.

But it wasn’t always like this.

There were times I’d jump between podcast concepts and tour dates and brand approvals and get met with a frustrated, “Wait. What are we talking about now?”

I could feel their system glitching. Not because they weren’t paying attention, but because I was asking their brain to switch tracks without a signal.

When I share this with people, they sometimes applaud the consideration.

But I don’t see it as a kindness. I see it ascompetence.

It’s part of my job. It’s how you get great results.

Because when you take the time to package things clearly; with structure, intention, and a little empathy, you get what you need and they get to show up as their best.

That’s the difference between a scattered conversation and a productive one.

Between half answers and full clarity.

Between managing andreally understandingsomeone.

And yeah. I do care.

But also? I just like getting sh*t done.