Meet Susie Bould, a Marketing Manager in the Film Industry living with an invisible disability.

“It took me so long into being disabled to learn all that information that at the start, I just felt shame. And I just felt like, I didn’t want people to know and I didn’t want people to judge me and I was worried, I wouldn’t get employed, I was scared to mention it in interviews. It felt like this big elephant in the room to me… I think It did destroy my self-esteem. I felt very worthless for a long time.”

This is an eye-opening episode about living with an invisible disability, how to navigate work and what you can do as an employer to welcome disabilities and support your team.

Here's what we discussed.

Embracing Creativity and Overcoming Bias

Susie discussed the challenges she faced in her career, particularly around creativity and bias. She recalled an incident where she was told she wasn’t “creative enough,” a feedback that came unexpectedly after she disclosed her disability. Susie’s response highlights the importance of self-belief and confronting unconscious bias:

“I’m not gonna believe you now… I think the thing about unconscious bias is it’s unconscious. You haven’t acknowledged that and absorbed that yourself.”

The Power of Empathy and Management

As a manager, Susie emphasised the significant influence a leader has on their team’s daily life and overall work experience. She takes this responsibility seriously, aiming to provide opportunities for growth and learning:

“I take that responsibility, really seriously. And I want to find ways to give people opportunities, and see them grow and learn.”

Disability and Workplace Efficiency

Susie also spoke about how her experience as a disabled person has made her more efficient and empathetic in the workplace. She believes that the skills developed through managing her disability are highly transferable to her professional life:

“As a disabled person, It’s built into my DNA now… that’s what we’re all trying to do all the time. How can I drive efficiency in this space?”

The Evolution of Workplace Attitudes

Reflecting on her career journey, Susie noted the positive changes in workplace attitudes towards marginalized communities over the years. She acknowledges the broader social and cultural awareness that has grown, benefiting people who experience different forms of marginalization:

“Bigger movements… have become more socially and culturally aware of marginalized communities over the last 16 years.”

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