The Endless Possibilities of Diverse Thinking

Throughout my 30+ years in technology, I have been inspired by the brilliant minds of people around me. Many times, someone defined the challenge differently than I did, found a new way to address a problem, or developed a new application for an existing technology. The endless possibilities of diverse thinking are what keep me coming back to work each day. 

At Splunk we like to say “Every brain is different. Every brain belongs.” It is the slogan of our Neurodiversity Employee Resource Group (ERG). I jumped at the opportunity to serve as executive sponsor of the ERG, which just celebrated Neurodiversity Awareness Month to shine a light on what it means to be neurodivergent and how valuable it is to include people with different brains.

“20 years ago, I got diagnosed with ADHD. It's a disorder that makes you unable to control your focus or attention. At Splunk I can manage my own time, so I will focus whenever my brain says to. With that I can focus on the task perfectly, and I can manage my time with my family.”

- Gurkan Gokdemir, Software Engineer

Neurodivergent is a term that describes the 15-20% of people whose brains function differently from the typical brain – people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disabilities like dyslexia, social anxiety, and other conditions. Studies show neurodivergent people gravitate toward careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Many famous people fit this category: Isaac Newton, Benjamin Franklin, and Marie Curie to name a few. A quick internet search will also turn up famous musicians, actors, artists, and people in every walk of life that are neurodivergent.

“One aspect that truly stands out is the understanding, compassionate, and open-minded approach of our Splunk's leaders toward employees' lifestyles and backgrounds. Working from my home office has not only eliminated the stress of commuting but has also enhanced my productivity and performance. The ability to customize my work environment has been invaluable.” 

- Krystal Martinez, Emerging Talent Recruiter

Across every organization, neurodivergent team members have something unique to offer, and it is in our interest to foster a culture of belonging where everyone can feel included, meet their full potential, and contribute to the bottom line. Through open dialogue and flexibility in the ways we work, Splunkers are able to do their best work and bring their full selves every day. We have bolstered this culture with a new Neuroinclusion 101 training to provide foundational awareness, knowledge, and best practices to advance neurodiversity inclusion across Splunk.

"We have many benefits from continuing education and wellness programs to supportive Slack channels and Global Days of Rest. All of this (and more!) enables me to be myself with colleagues, leadership, partners, and customers."

- Matthew Joseff, Director, Security Specialization

As a technology leader, it is my job to drive innovation for customers and shareholders by entertaining new ideas from every possible contributor. As a people leader, it is my honor to create a workplace where people feel they have a voice and the opportunity to grow professionally. As a human being, I am fueled by curiosity to learn something new every day – and that doesn’t happen if I see the world only through my own lens.