Neurodiversity, Core Drivers, and the Recipe for True Teamwork with Michelle Mills-Porter

What if a single, catastrophic event could completely reshape your understanding of human connection? For Michelle Mills-Porter, surviving the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami did just that, turning personal tragedy into a profound mission to understand the core of effective collaboration. In this wide ranging episode, Andy Lopata is joined by Michelle Mills-Porter, an award-winning business owner and human behaviour expert, for a powerful conversation that journeys from the shores of Sri Lanka to the heart of professional relationships. Michelle recounts her harrowing experience and how the community that formed in its aftermath became the bedrock of her life's work. She explains the crucial difference between simple cooperation and true collaboration, offering listeners her "golden rules" through a memorable "collaboration pie" analogy. Andy and Michelle look deeper into the personal dynamics that underpin successful teamwork. Michelle speaks with vulnerability and insight about her own neurodivergence, explaining how her ADHD diagnosis brought clarity to her life and career. She provides practical guidance on how leaders can navigate different personality styles, manage conflict, and understand the deep-seated "core drivers" that shape our interactions. This episode is an essential guide to building stronger, more resilient, and genuinely collaborative relationships. What we discussed: From Tsunami Survivor to Collaboration Expert: How can the most extreme adversity reveal the secrets to human connection and the "magnificence of humanity"? The Collaboration Pie: Are you and your team truly collaborating, or just cooperating? Learn the vital difference and the rules for ensuring everyone contributes and benefits equally. The Neurodivergent Advantage: How can understanding different ways of thinking, such as ADHD, become a superpower for building innovative and effective teams? Beyond Personality Clashes: What are the subconscious "core drivers" that dictate our relationships, and how can we navigate them to foster understanding instead of conflict? The Sting of Rejection: Discover what Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) is and how this powerful emotional response can secretly impact your team's dynamics and your own. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube Connect with Michelle Mills-Porter: Website |LinkedIn | X The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring