Rooted in Difference—Insights from Richard Dickson

IBM taught Richard Dickson how to conform. The patterns he couldn't stop seeing had other plans. In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Richard Dickson, founder of Play It Green, on a mission to make sustainability commercially irresistible. Richard's neurodiverse wiring kept spotting connections everyone else missed — and made conformity feel like a costume. He took it off, building a company where profit and social impact aren't a trade-off, powered by three pillars: reduce, repair, re-give. This conversation goes deep — storytelling as a driver of change, and an economy built on value and empathy. If you've ever felt the perspective you were told to suppress might be your greatest contribution — this one's for you. In this episode: Richard's early signs of neurodiversity and how pattern recognition shaped his worldview The story behind leaving IBM's conformity culture for purpose-driven entrepreneurship Making sustainability commercially irresistible through behavior change, not guilt The three pillars of climate action: reduce, repair, re-give How storytelling and narrative drive societal change and consumer behavior Leadership, role clarity, and building relationships that challenge you to grow Empathy, patience, and long-term thinking as tools for addressing global issues Practical advice for aligning personal values with business through incremental change * Timestamps: 01:24 — Understanding Neurodiversity and Individuality 02:38 — The Journey of Entrepreneurship and Self-Discovery 07:00 — Building a Sustainable Business Model 11:01 — The Shift Towards Conscious Capitalism 13:19 — Creating Societal Change Through Education 15:29 — The Role of Consumer Behavior in Sustainability 17:11 — The Importance of Perspective and Cognitive Differences 18:22 — Facilitating Change in Commercial Systems 20:27 — Surrounding Yourself with the Right People 22:38 — Intensity and Its Impact on Relationships 23:11 — Embracing Differences and Finding Strength 24:17 — Navigating Emotions and Relationships 26:23 — Harnessing Unique Thinking for Business Success 29:11 — Translating Passion and Managing Frustration 35:54 — Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Values 42:01 — The Mission of Play It Green Connect with Richard Dickson: LinkedIn:     / richardiandickson   Website:    http://www.playitgreen.com Connect with Jonathan: LinkedIn:   / richardiandickson   Website: https://untangled-coaching.com/ YouTube:    / @thepattern-seekingentrepreneur