We Can't Afford to Waste a Single Mind

October has been a full month for my family and me. The most significant moment came when my oldest son received a formal diagnosis of autism. We had always known that he faced learning challenges, but this was the first time we had a name for what we had been observing for years.

At eighteen, I am incredibly proud of how maturely he has handled the news. When we talked about it, he said something that has stayed with me: “It’s hard being around people, but not being with people.”

As a father, my first instinct is to find places where he feels welcome, where people appreciate him for who he is. Yet I know that for him to truly thrive, he must also learn how to navigate environments that are not naturally designed for him and to be around people who may not immediately recognize his strengths.

In my professional life, I have seen many people experience something similar. For a variety of reasons, they have felt the pain of being around people but not being with them. They have felt unseen, unheard, or unsure if their contributions really matter.

That is why I am so grateful for the work I do at Brink’s, helping people feel connected, valued, and supported in their day-to-day experiences at work.

During October, I have been fortunate to be part of several meaningful efforts:

• An Employee Volunteer Week, where we created blankets for soldiers and supported our local food bank.

• Cultural celebrations, including Diwali and Hispanic Heritage Month.

• Conversations on breast cancer awareness and the inspiring stories of survivors.

• Employee panel discussions focused on mental health and navigating a multigenerational workplace.

• Teaching a group of leaders how to bring people along during times of change.

• And even a bit of fun with our employee costume contest.

I do this work because I never want a colleague to feel the kind of isolation my son has described. And if anyone does, I hope to give them the tools and confidence to grow and succeed despite it.

Recently, while reading about neurodiversity at work, I came across a quote from a school superintendent that captures exactly what I have been reflecting on: "We can't afford to waste a single mind."

That is true for my family, and it is true for every organization.