Wandering around talking to people doesn’t feel like proper “work” work, even though it takes some effort and can be really productive. My autistic brain is absolutely determined that sitting at my desk churning out written work is proper work or – at a pinch – attending meetings. It’s a real struggle for my autistic brain to regard talking to people as work, partly because it doesn’t feel like a concrete thing done, and partly because it’s not what comes naturally to me. But I rationalise it to myself that there are some days – possibly a lot of days – when it really is my job just to talk to people, but most of all, to listen. Who knows what I might find out?
Some days you feel there’s nothing that’s been done
You talked to people, listened, nodded, smiled,
But haven’t written much; decisions: none,
And absolutely nothing has been filed.
And you’re exhausted from what feels like work –
You’ve found the right response to one and all
And been a leader, managing each quirk
And question, worry, plea, the random call
That heralds aggravation you can’t bear
Or shocks autistic brains (like yours) don’t need
Or just demands that you must show you care
It’s all the basis of the way you lead.
You might feel nothing’s done but know this too:
That talking, listening is work, for you.
Autistic Civil Servant 