Disabled people in leadership roles? The dream of a cynical optimist

Hello dear future historians and contemporary readers

I have a video that I think you'll like.

Press here to listen to the dream of a cynical optimist

Hello, I am Lotous. A disabled actor, writer, and (soon) filmmaker.

I was asked to talk to all of you tonight about:

• What being involved with Square Pegs Arts has meant to me personally, and about the

• Transforming Leadership I was privileged to be part of, and our,

• Steering Committee that emerged as a result of this Leadership Programme.

But first, let’s talk about the elephant in the room.

Disabled people in leadership roles? Is that even possible?

I suppose the question in the back of most people’s head is:

How could someone that needs a carer to function be trusted with a leadership role, and why should any employer even bother?

Well, I am here to answer that question for you, and I am not alone.

We are not here to just raise awareness and then keep silent.

We are here to stay and keep sharing awareness and skills.

This question is not new.

But, disabled people have been excluded from leadership roles, even from education, for thousands of years, for a good reason: it would be a waste of resources.

Today I am proposing the fantasy of a cynical optimist. The hope that in our money oriented world the employers will finally realise the economic value that neurodiverse brains can bring in a company.

The change can begin with us tonight and spread globally, into the books of the dear future historians.

We, disabled people, have a special capacity to think out of the box. We can hyper focus on a task up to superhero levels of concentration. We are conscientious and honest. And we can give our souls in a task, if we’re given creative freedom and reasonable adjustments.

Most of us that identify as disabled have experienced at least discouragement in any attempts to apply or even dream of leadership positions. We are taught to follow, not to lead.

This past 2 years with Square Pegs Arts and The Leadership programme have been transformational for me, regarding my own ideas of my own potential.

On a personal level, Square Pegs Arts has beautifully transformed my life.

After the pandemic, I found myself completely isolated and stuck at home.

Then I found Square Pegs. I had finally a reason to go out, to get dressed, to put some make up on, and feel like a human being again.

What I found was so much better than I could hope for. I found people that accepted and appreciated my differences as just that: a Difference. I found a safe place that I didn’t have to mask anymore, and I could flourish.

I then started the internship in the Transforming Leadership Governance programme with Square Pegs Arts.

In the beginning I was still hesitant, as usually I am with everything. I thought it was just another programme to justify funding for disabled people, mostly to keep us occupied.

I am happy to announce that I was wrong on this one.

Last two years with Square Pegs Arts we created a movie and two plays that had massive impact, and raised awareness about how it really is to be neurodivergent.

We had feedback such as: ‘This work was astonishing on so many levels. It was thought provoking. Heart touching. Intelligent and wise’.

We made a Steering Committee, which I am the Chair of, to have a continuous and constructive way for all of our groups to be represented in the decision making process of the company.

Additionally, I met disabled people that have really led successful projects and companies that have trusted parts of their funding to them. And I have seen that they haven’t disappointed. They have delivered. With creativity, innovation, and hard work brought the value for money of the funds given for them.

This is revolutionary. The idea that disabled people, given the safety and trust they need, that they... we, can be given leadership roles sounds to me as amazing as walking on the Moon.

Thank you for listening. Enjoy your evening.