Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

Transform Your Workplace

The Transform Your Workplace Podcast covers everything you need to build a great workplace. Industry experts, thought-leaders, HR experts and entrepreneurs join us to discuss big ideas that can transform your organization. Each week we cover a new topic, ranging from HR, communication and culture to business growth, leadership and workplace trends.Access more episodes, subscribe, and learn more. 

  1. All Episodes
  2. The Canary Code and What Neurodivergent Employees Are Trying to Tell You with Ludmila Praslova

The Canary Code and What Neurodivergent Employees Are Trying to Tell You with Ludmila Praslova

Apr 10, 2026

What if the employees struggling most in your workplace are actually detecting problems everyone else will eventually feel? Dr. Ludmila Praslova, organizational psychologist and author of The Canary Code, joins Brandon Laws to unpack why neurodivergent employees are often the first to feel workplace dysfunction and why that signal matters for everyone. From rethinking job postings and ditching "culture fit" hiring to fixing performance reviews that punish personality instead of measuring outcomes, this conversation is packed with practical ideas leaders can act on now. If you've ever wondered why your best people keep leaving or why your culture feels off despite good intentions, this episode will challenge how you think about inclusion, belonging, and what a healthy workplace actually looks like.

Timestamps:

  • 0:00 Introduction and sponsor message
  • 2:12 Meet Dr. Ludmila Praslova and The Canary Code
  • 4:18 Why neurodivergent employees feel workplace dysfunction first
  • 7:30 Defining neurodivergence and who it includes
  • 9:42 Why the business case for inclusion can actually backfire
  • 11:30 What holistic inclusion means and why people aren't brains on a stick
  • 13:45 The six principles of the Canary Code framework
  • 16:42 Culture fit vs. culture add and why we keep hiring clones
  • 19:15 How to rewrite job postings that attract different kinds of talent
  • 22:15 Pre-onboarding and setting up belonging before day one
  • 24:30 Productivity theater vs. real outcomes
  • 26:45 The story of Charlie and fixing performance management
  • 28:30 Supporting neurodivergent leaders who are hiding in plain sight
  • 32:00 The Glastonbury moment and what true belonging looks like
  • 34:30 Where to connect with Dr. Praslova

A QUICK GLIMPSE INTO OUR PODCAST

Podcast: Transform Your Workplace, sponsored by Xenium HR

Host: Brandon Laws

In Brandon's own words: "The Transform Your Workplace podcast is your go-to source for the latest workplace trends, big ideas, and time-tested methods straight from the mouths of industry experts and respected thought-leaders."

About Xenium HR Xenium HR is on a mission to transform workplaces by providing expert outsourced HR and payroll services for small and medium-sized businesses. With a people-first approach, Xenium helps organizations create thriving work environments where employees feel valued and supported. From navigating compliance to enhancing workplace culture, Xenium offers tailored solutions that empower growth and simplify HR. Whether managing employee relations, payroll processing, or implementing impactful training programs, Xenium is the trusted partner businesses rely on to elevate their workplace experience. Discover how Xenium can transform your workplace: Learn more

Connect with Brandon Laws:

Connect with Xenium HR: