The Infographic
"The Future of Global Security: Neurodiverse Leaders"
This infographic is meant to illustrate why complex global security challenges of the future demand neurodiverse minds. It is only by embracing the diverse perspectives, resilient and adaptable nature, and unconventional thinking of neurodiverse individuals that we can effectively tackle these challenges.
Future Global Security Threats
There are four main security threats that future leaders will have to address in the coming decades:
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a) Hybrid Threats, including cyber and information warfare, attacks to critical infrastructure, economic and financial coercion, attacks to supply chains, and potential terrorist attacks caused by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents (CBRN);
b) The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including the development and proliferation of next-generation nuclear technology, the resurgence of chemical weapons, cyber attacks to WMD systems, and the erosion of global non-proliferation norms;
c) Emerging technologies, including AI-driven misinformation, logarithmic bias, and surveillance, growing cyber security threats, misuse of biotechnology and bioengineering technology, and quantum-enabled cyber attacks;
d) Climate change, including the increased risks of conflicts as a result of competition over resources, mass migration, food insecurity and supply chain disruption, and infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Key Qualities, Skills & Traits
To solve these global security challenges, the leader of the future will need to have a variety of skills and values that promote global collaboration, innovative thinking, and legislative reforms and policies that prioritize adaptation and resilience.
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These include the ability to:
1) Think about problems in a holistic manner and think about the "big picture" to understand the impact of changes in the short and long-term .
2) Intellectual humility, curiosity, and eagerness to learn will be essential to understand the complex and intertwined security challenges of the future. A curious and humble leader will be able to easily rethink assumptions, pivot when strategies don't work, and embrace feedback.
3) Creativity and innovation will enable the leader of the future to identify alternative solutions that promote resilient and sustainable policies.
4) As an inclusive collaborator and excellent relationship builder, the leader of the future will be able to promote multilateral cooperation, mediate disputes, navigate diverse cultural, political and social contexts, and foster trust.
5) Adaptability will be essential to address changing technological and geopolitical challenges, quickly pivot in response to changing threats, and frequently assess and refine strategies.
6) Inspiring trust and communicating in a clear and precise manner will enable the leader of the future to influence, persuade and create long-lasting stability as a result of their credibility.
Concrete Actions
A) Enhancing Government Resilience:
1. Economic Diversification, which includes moving away from dependence on a limited number of sectors and markets.
2. Investments in critical infrastructure that prevent attacks and protect against natural disasters.
3. Strong social safety nets that protect vulnerable members of society against shocks.
4. Climate change adaptation strategies that focus on mitigation and preparedness.
B) Legislative Reforms:
1. Strengthening of economic security regimes, including foreign investment and export controls to prevent the theft of technology and know-how.
2. Protect and promote technological innovation, particularly the know-how and intellectual property of sensitive technologies.
3. Safeguarding of critical infrastructure from attacks, preventing cyber intrusions, and stopping the spread of misinformation and propaganda.
C) Global Cooperation:
1. Prioritizing multilateral agreements that help identify solutions, promote the sharing of information and best practices, and set clear, inclusive and achievable targets that seek tangible progress.
2. Strengthening of alliances that promote deterrence, security arrangements, and the development of defense capabilities.
3. Enhancing civil-military cooperation across allies to promote domestic and international resilience, disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.
ND Superpowers
ADHD
Research indicates that individuals with ADHD show above-average abilities that enable creative, divergent and innovative thinking (White & Shah 2011; Boot et al. 2020; Abraham et al. 2006). In addition, self-reported traits, recently studied by researchers, include cognitive flexibility, adaptability and sensory processing difference, which can lead to greater empathy, understanding and collaboration (Schippers et al. 2024).
Dyslexia
Studies show that individuals with dyslexia show above-average abilities in communication, collaboration and relationship-building as a result of increased visual-spatial abilities that facilitate the reading of social cues (Stein 2023; Von Karolyi et al. 2003).
Autism
Research indicates that individuals with autism have superior abilities related to analytical thinking, working memory and processing speed, which enables them to understand complex systems and excel at identifying incoherencies (Uddin 2022), as well as the ability to focus intensely on special interest, which leads to strong expertise in particular subjects (Crespi 2016).
Untapping the Potential
Stigma, school and workplace barriers, and burnout lead neurodivergent (ND) individuals to leave the workforce in high numbers.
Unemployment rates for NDs are significantly higher than the general population, with estimates suggesting rates of 30-40%.
Raising awareness of their exceptional abilities, advocating for ND people, and providing school and workplace accommodations can help unlock the untapped potential of ND leaders in the making!
White, H. A. & Shah, P. (2011). Creative style and achievement in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(5), 673-677.
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Boot, N., Nevicka, B., & Baas, M. (2020). Creativity in ADHD: Goal-Directed Motivation and Domain Specificity. Journal of attention disorders, 24(13), 1857-1866.
Schippers, L. M., Greven, C. U., & Hoogman, M. (2024). Associations between ADHD traits and self-reported strengths in the general population. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 130, 152461.
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Stein J. (2023). Theories about Developmental Dyslexia. Brain sciences, 13(2), 208.
Von Karolyi, C., Winner, E., Gray, W., & Sherman, G. F. (2003). Dyslexia linked to talent: Global visual-spatial ability. Brain and language, 85(3), 427-431.
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Uddin, L. Q. (2022). Exceptional Abilities in Autism: Theories and Open Questions. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 31(6), 509-517.
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Crespi B. J. (2016). Autism As a Disorder of High Intelligence. Frontiers in neuroscience, 10, 300. ​​​
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