Neurodiversity in Business: Masking, Passing & Authenticity

For many ADHD and neurodivergent professionals, success in business often comes with an invisible cost: the effort of masking. What’s often misunderstood as a conscious choice to “fit in” is, for most, a deeply ingrained survival mechanism—learned early and performed instinctively. In this blog, we explore what it means to live and work authentically in a world designed around neurotypical expectations. Through my conversation with ADHD coach and entrepreneur Ron Sosa, we delve into the realities of unmasking, intersectionality, and redefining productivity on your own terms. Ron’s story—spanning early misdiagnosis, identity discovery, burnout, and resilience—reveals how authenticity is rarely linear, but always powerful. From the tension between “superpower” narratives and real lived struggle to the importance of self-acceptance in neurodiversity in business, this piece invites readers to reflect on what standing tall in one’s truth truly means. Because for many of us, authenticity isn’t rebellion—it’s survival.