September 2026 AEC Women's Networking Dinner

Our speaker is Katie Rickson.

Not One Way - So many ways to succeed in work and life 

For too long, I couldn’t see my lived experience reflected in the business world. It was easy for me to start feeling like it was a “me” problem, and not a symptom of a deeper societal challenge.

Too many of us are excluded from participating in meaningful employment because bosses don’t know how to – or refuse to – make the necessary accommodations.

But when people with bipolar (and other forms of neurodivergence) can work and want to work, we’re doing society a huge disservice if we don’t create the conditions for people with bipolar (and other neurotypes) to thrive.

It’s not just people like me who are missing out, it’s others who don’t get to benefit from our lateral thinking, our creative expression, our hard-won resilience, and our deep empathy and compassion. While I won’t go so far as calling it a superpower, living with bipolar is not all doom and challenge and hardship; it can also forge and nurture gifts, talents, and expertise.

The power’s in the reframe. Reframing the way we see success in life, reframing the way we see our brain, and reframing the paths to achieve our goals that make entry (or re-entry after extended leave or hospital stays) into work more accessible, more worthwhile, more equitable.

Key Take Aways

- There is not one way to succeed in entrepreneurship (and life)

- When we open our minds to the different ways of reframing success, we allow more equitable opportunities for everyone

- So much talk about getting people to work but where is the scaffolding and supports to make this happen (and in a way people don't burnout and become seriously unwell)

- How we can all benefit if we show up as our true selves

- The difference between capacity and competency and how we need to focus on both if we want to level the playing field.

 

 

We have included below, when purchasing your ticket, a Donation option of $5 to support the club charity The Quality of Life Trust.

We cater for Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, and dairy intolerance. We're unable to cater to individual dietary requests other than food allergies and intolerances or religious requirements. If you want to check if your requirements can be catered for, please email Liz on admin@aucklandexecutiveclub.org.nz before booking.