INSIGHTS

thinking differently about how people work together.

Susan Mackay’s published writing explores the human dimensions of organisational life: culture, leadership, difference, trust, conflict, ethics and meaningful change.

Across professional publications and specialist platforms, Susan combines organisational experience, coaching practice, lived experience and evidence-informed thinking to question familiar assumptions and consider what better ways of working could make possible.

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published perspectives across connected fields.

Culture, leadership and change
Neurodiversity and inclusion
Coaching, ethics and human connection
Creative facilitation and play

Published between 2023 and 2026 through professional, specialist and international platforms.

FEATURED WRITING

ideas for more human and effective organisations.

Culture, leadership and change

The ‘We-Q’ Workplace: Coaching, Conflict, and Creating Cultures of Courage (opens in a new tab)

What helps an organisation move beyond individual intelligence towards collective intelligence? This article explores coaching, conflict, psychological safety and the importance of trusted spaces in which people can speak openly, examine different truths and turn tension into useful information.

LinkedIn · July 2025

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Culture, leadership and change
Moving from IQ to WeQ: A New Form of Intelligence (opens in a new tab)
An exploration of how cognitive diversity, belonging and genuine collaboration can help organisations unlock the collective intelligence already present within their people.
Institute of Neurodiversity · June 2024
Read article: Moving from IQ to WeQ: A New Form of Intelligence(opens in a new tab)
Neurodiversity and inclusion
From Misunderstood to Mission-Critical: The Potential of Neurominority Talent (opens in a new tab)
Why neurodiversity should be understood as a strategic organisational capability—and why inclusive culture and workplace design are necessary for different thinkers to contribute fully.
Institute of Neurodiversity · June 2025
Read article: From Misunderstood to Mission-Critical: The Potential of Neurominority Talent(opens in a new tab)
Neurodiversity and inclusion
Reframing Neurodiversity: Unlocking Humanity’s Untapped Resource (opens in a new tab)
A challenge to move beyond deficit narratives and simplistic “superpower” labels towards a more human understanding of cognitive difference, belonging and systemic inclusion.
Institute of Neurodiversity · March 2025
Read article: Reframing Neurodiversity: Unlocking Humanity’s Untapped Resource(opens in a new tab)
Coaching, ethics and human connection
The Role of AI in Coaching: Why Ethics Matter (opens in a new tab)
As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in coaching, this article considers transparency, trust, cultural sensitivity, data responsibility and why technology must complement rather than replace human connection.
ICF Switzerland · July 2025
Read article: The Role of AI in Coaching: Why Ethics Matter(opens in a new tab)
Creative facilitation and play
Uncovering Cracks in the Bridge: An Ethical Dilemma in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (opens in a new tab)
A reflection on facilitator responsibility, ethical judgment and psychological safety when a hands-on group process reveals more than participants—or the facilitator—expected.
The LSP Magazine · Summer 2025
Read article: Uncovering Cracks in the Bridge: An Ethical Dilemma in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®(opens in a new tab)

EXPLORE THE LIBRARY

published articles and perspectives.

Showing 20 articles.

Culture, leadership and change
What Is the Difference That Makes a Difference? (opens in a new tab)
A reflection on conscious leadership, identity, belief and why inclusion must be embedded in organisational purpose rather than treated as an additional initiative.
ICF Switzerland · November 2024
Read article: What Is the Difference That Makes a Difference?(opens in a new tab)
Culture, leadership and change
Living Our Values in a Fractured World (opens in a new tab)
Why values-driven leadership requires more than statements of intent—and how coaching can support courageous, inclusive action.
ICF Switzerland · February 2025
Read article: Living Our Values in a Fractured World(opens in a new tab)
Culture, leadership and change
Transformational Change: Coaching as a Radical Tool of Hope (opens in a new tab)
An exploration of coaching as a source of possibility, belonging and meaningful change during uncertain and divided times.
ICF Switzerland · April 2025
Read article: Transformational Change: Coaching as a Radical Tool of Hope(opens in a new tab)
Culture, leadership and change
Thinking Differently, Together (opens in a new tab)
A personal and organisational reflection on moving from awareness to action by redesigning systems, strengthening psychological safety and enabling different people to contribute.
LinkedIn · June 2025
Read article: Thinking Differently, Together(opens in a new tab)
Culture, leadership and change
The Transformative Power of Conflict Management Coaching (opens in a new tab)
How conflict coaching can strengthen self-awareness, confidence and agency while helping people navigate difficult workplace relationships more constructively.
LinkedIn · March 2025
Read article: The Transformative Power of Conflict Management Coaching(opens in a new tab)
Neurodiversity and inclusion
What Is Neurodiversity and Why Does It Matter in Coaching? (opens in a new tab)
Why coaches and organisational leaders need to understand neurodiversity, challenge deficit narratives and create more flexible, psychologically safe environments.
ICF Switzerland · January 2025
Read article: What Is Neurodiversity and Why Does It Matter in Coaching?(opens in a new tab)
Neurodiversity and inclusion
The Neurodiversity Imperative: Time to Rethink (opens in a new tab)
A call for organisations to reconsider conventional assumptions about talent, capability, leadership and inclusion.
Institute of Neurodiversity · January 2025
Read article: The Neurodiversity Imperative: Time to Rethink(opens in a new tab)
Neurodiversity and inclusion
Reflecting on Davos: Thinking Differently, Together (opens in a new tab)
A reflection on neurodiversity as a source of innovation, inclusion and progress across business, policy and society.
Institute of Neurodiversity · February 2025
Read article: Reflecting on Davos: Thinking Differently, Together(opens in a new tab)
Neurodiversity and inclusion
No Such Thing as Normal—Is ‘Neurotypical’ the Real Myth? (opens in a new tab)
A challenge to the idea of a single “normal” brain and an invitation to recognise the breadth of human cognitive variation.
Institute of Neurodiversity · May 2025
Read article: No Such Thing as Normal—Is ‘Neurotypical’ the Real Myth?(opens in a new tab)
Neurodiversity and inclusion
Unlocking Potential: The Power of Belief (opens in a new tab)
The role of belief, strengths-based coaching and psychological safety in enabling neurodivergent people to recognise and use their potential.
ICF Switzerland · October 2024
Read article: Unlocking Potential: The Power of Belief(opens in a new tab)
Neurodiversity and inclusion
The Power of Believing in Others (opens in a new tab)
How recognition, encouragement and meaningful support can strengthen confidence and create conditions in which different people can thrive.
Institute of Neurodiversity · September 2024
Read article: The Power of Believing in Others(opens in a new tab)
Neurodiversity and inclusion
What If There Is No “Them”—Just “Us”? (opens in a new tab)
An invitation to replace division with shared humanity, empathy and possibility thinking.
Institute of Neurodiversity · April 2025
Read article: What If There Is No “Them”—Just “Us”?(opens in a new tab)
Coaching, ethics and human connection
Living the Code: Why DEIB Is the Foundation of Ethics in Coaching (opens in a new tab)
Why coaching ethics are more than compliance—and how trust, equity and respect for each client’s humanity must be expressed in practice.
ICF Switzerland · 2025
Read article: Living the Code: Why DEIB Is the Foundation of Ethics in Coaching(opens in a new tab)
Coaching, ethics and human connection
Breaking the Code: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in Coaching (opens in a new tab)
A reflection on visibility, belonging and the safety required for people to participate without hiding important parts of themselves.
ICF Switzerland · June 2024
Read article: Breaking the Code: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in Coaching(opens in a new tab)
Coaching, ethics and human connection
Facing Our Fears: Navigating Diversity and Inclusion as an ICF Coach (opens in a new tab)
Why humility, curiosity and a willingness to remain present in uncomfortable conversations matter more than having perfect answers.
ICF Switzerland · July 2024
Read article: Facing Our Fears: Navigating Diversity and Inclusion as an ICF Coach(opens in a new tab)
Coaching, ethics and human connection
Youth Mental Health: The Power of Showing Up (opens in a new tab)
A reflection on empathy, early support and the difference that being present can make during formative moments in a young person’s life.
LinkedIn · April 2025
Read article: Youth Mental Health: The Power of Showing Up(opens in a new tab)
Creative facilitation and play
How I Stumbled Across LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (opens in a new tab)
Susan’s personal introduction to the methodology and the discovery that structured play can create powerful opportunities for insight and connection.
The LSP Magazine · Summer 2023
Read article: How I Stumbled Across LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®(opens in a new tab)
Creative facilitation and play
Creating Connection: Unleashing the Bricks (opens in a new tab)
An exploration of how building, metaphor and storytelling can help participants express ideas and connect with one another.
The LSP Magazine · Autumn 2023
Read article: Creating Connection: Unleashing the Bricks(opens in a new tab)
Creative facilitation and play
Learning to Listen: My Coaching Journey with LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (opens in a new tab)
How hands-on methods can support listening, confidence, creative problem-solving, cognitive flexibility and social connection.
The LSP Magazine · Autumn 2024
Read article: Learning to Listen: My Coaching Journey with LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®(opens in a new tab)
Creative facilitation and play
Seriously Playful Coaching (opens in a new tab)
A practical exploration of how structured model-building can help families communicate, reflect, solve problems and develop shared understanding.
The LSP Magazine · Winter 2025
Read article: Seriously Playful Coaching(opens in a new tab)

BROADER PERSPECTIVES

the experiences that inform the work.

Susan’s wider writing includes personal reflections on neurodivergence, possibility, health, equity and the human impact of systems. These perspectives form part of the experience and curiosity she brings to organisational work.

Turning Lemons into Lemonade: My ADHD Journey (opens in a new tab)
Institute of Neurodiversity · October 2024
Read article: Turning Lemons into Lemonade: My ADHD Journey(opens in a new tab)
A Summer of Possibility (opens in a new tab)
Institute of Neurodiversity · July 2025
Read article: A Summer of Possibility(opens in a new tab)
Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures: The Power of Brave Change
April 2025

continue the conversation.

Susan regularly shares new thinking on organisational culture, leadership, neuroinclusion, coaching and human connection.

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what could these ideas make possible in your organisation?

Insights become useful when they help people see a challenge differently and take meaningful action. If one of these themes connects with work taking place in your organisation, let’s start a conversation.

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