Professional Relationships π§
Struggling As An Underling?
- Embrace ambitious goals, challenging tasks, or difficult problems, say yes whenever you can with flexibility and enthusiasm.
- βUnder promise and over-deliverβ
- Be proactively communicate about:
- Needing help
- Anticipating problems
- Roadblocks
- Setbacks
- Other priorities standing in my way
- Regular progress
- Seek out feedback without coming across as lacking confidence
Office Conflicts & Politics
Workplace politics arenβt inherently bad. They cover the informal, unwritten system of power, influence, and social navigation that exists in every organization. For neurodivergent people, who often struggle with implicit social rules, this invisible rulebook can often be overwhelming or deliberately exclusionary to navigate blind (Bouckley 2022). We intend to help with that through common-sense explanations and directing you to supporting resources.
The core reality: Politics are everywhere. They operate through subtle signals: tone of voice, facial expressions, timing, alliances, and unspoken hierarchies. These are neurotypical social conventions that neurodivergent brains may not process naturally.
Most resources available to neurodivergent folks donβt have practical, accessible guides to navigate these environmental realities (Williams 1993; Price 2022; Garcia 2022; Kirby and Smith 2021). Even fewer resources are available to address people living at the intersections of these identities (Higashida 2013; Yergeau 2017; Kirby and Smith 2021; Omeiza 2024).
ND Upgrade is here to start changing that. We donβt have opinions about whether workplace politics are ethical. We donβt dispute the neuroscience of why neurotypical people unconsciously behave the way they do. We just want neurodivergent people to have the option to access these tools if they wish to learn them.
Resources by Topic
If you want the foundations, start here:
- The Basics β An overview of how most brains may think about neurotypical politics in the wild, from building relationships to ethical boundaries.
If youβre navigating specific challenges:
- Red Flags & Toxic Dynamics β How to spot micromanagement, DARVO, undermining, and other harmful patterns.
- Reputation & Perception β Why your work quality alone isnβt enough; how to manage how others perceive you.
- Strategic Reading List β Foundational texts on power, negotiation, game theory, and workplace dynamics. (The βdicey stuffβ is organized here for reference.)
If youβre looking for tactical support:
- Media & Case Studies β What you can learn from TV shows, films, and real workplace examples.
- Tools & Resources β Assistive technology, scripts, and practical supports.
How to Use These Pages
Every person has different diagnoses, needs, and strengths. These resources are made to be used as needed. You might spend time on all of them, or just one. You might return to them years later and find something new.
Weβre not telling you to master workplace politics. Weβre giving you the option to understand them if you want to, or if you need to.
This resource acknowledges that neurodivergent people bring authentic, honest, direct perspectives to workplaces. Navigating politics doesnβt require becoming someone youβre not; it requires understanding the unspoken game, making intentional choices about where to engage, and protecting your energy for what matters.