Brittany Martin Déjean is the founder of Inclusion Jumpstart and has a mission to help non-disabled leaders get comfortable with disability to accelerate inclusion in business.
In the years after her dad was paralyzed in a car accident, she confronted pervasive misconceptions about disability, forever transforming her awareness and understanding. She founded the nonprofit AbleThrive in 2013 to support people with disabilities in 2013, mobilizing 200+ global partners. Before it was acquired in 2021, she was selected as an Echoing Green fellow and her work was recognized for its global impact and innovation. She joined Airbnb in 2018, where she spent over six years as a disability inclusion and accessibility specialist. There she led workshops on disability inclusion and accessibility in nine countries. These experiences reinforced what she had already seen throughout her career: many professionals hold deep-rooted misconceptions and unspoken fears about disability that create unnecessary barriers.
She launched Inclusion Jumpstart to dedicate herself to transforming perspectives on disability as a tool for organizational change. She has worked with disability communities on 3 continents and her unique approach has changed the perspectives of thousands of professionals.
At her core, she is a daughter, mother, friend and colleague, who approaches her speaking, coaching and advocacy with deep empathy and compassion.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day is split between work and my kids. I typically work a few hours in the morning before spending time with them. Then I pick up again after lunch for another work session. Each day’s schedule varies depending on whatever else is going on, but I embrace the flexibility and working on my own schedule. In order to stay productive, I typically outline what I want to accomplish the next time I sit down ahead of time. That way, when it’s go-time, I get it done rather than wasting time wondering what I need to do next.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I process a lot of my thoughts, feelings and ideas through writing. If something comes to my mind, I tend to journal to think it through, or talk about it with someone close to me for an objective opinion. I tend to jump to the big idea, so I have to work backwards to figure out the steps to get there. I’ve found that bringing anything big to life also requires me to be sure I’m pursuing the right thing for the right reasons. It has to be an idea that excites me. This has forced me to listen to my intuition, to ensure that the idea is aligned with my purpose, skills and interests.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Work flexibility. Not only does it enable more equitable access to employment, it also enables people to have more control over their time. Flexibility has enabled me to build a life I want around my work and my children, and gives me more freedom to use my time how I see fit to manage the responsibilities of adulthood on my own terms.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I prioritize seeing something through before diving into the next thing. I had to work to build this habit to avoid the clutches of hustle culture or trying to boil the ocean. I try to keep a single north star, and make sure my tasks and initiatives align with it. If I find a task that doesn’t, I put it on the back burner and find one that will move me forward. Not only does it help me stay productive, but it also gives me an incremental sense of accomplishment knowing I’m moving towards my goals.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell myself to trust my intuition and the journey. I would tell myself that even the most challenging moments will become opportunities for redirection and growth that you might not have known you needed. I would tell myself to let go of the need to do it all alone and learn how to ask for help.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
Hustle doesn’t lead to success. I would love to see a societal shift away from the glorification of overwork and burnout. I believe that success comes from alignment of purpose and the right mindset.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I stretch for a minimum of ten minutes every day. It’s a manageable commitment to my physical health that has made it easier to turn it into a habit. It also has a measurable impact on pain and mobility.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go into nature and sit by myself in silence.
This started as a homework assignment from my coach, which has now become something I seek to do regularly. Even if I can’t get into nature, I at least take “me time” and either write creatively or journal or listen to music, anything to breathe and reset without distraction.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
The only strategy that has remained consistent and has served me at every stage of my career is to commit to being myself and be open about who I am and why I care.
Being consistent with this has enabled deeper relationships and meaningful connections, giving me a network I feel good about. It’s also enabled people to understand my “why” in a way that earns trust and support. There have been people who have remembered me or referred me to opportunities because of it, and for that I am always grateful.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Years ago while working on an organization with a co-founder, we ended up not seeing eye to eye. I ended up walking away, leaving behind seven years of hard work and back at square one. I had to give myself grace, time to process the loss and space to figure out my next move. I leaned heavily on people close to me who believed in my ability to emerge stronger. It was a painful lesson, but it was a cornerstone in my evolution to where I am today. I learned about the necessity of clear communication and contracts. I also learned to trust my intuition, honor what feels right and to stand up for myself.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A co-working space that includes activities for kids so parents can work in the same place and be accessible to kids without being responsible for managing the activities and care.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use Notion. It enables me to have a variety of lists and records that are in one place, rather than scattered in notes on paper or on my phone. It also helps me organize short and long term tasks, personal and professional obligations without trying to keep it all straight in my head.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
It wasn’t quite $100, but 2 rounds of mini-golf and ice cream with my husband and kids for our own version of “Sunday Funday”. We have made it a goal to be intentional with family time without distractions doing something we can all enjoy. It’s always a hit.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
I’m currently in the midst of doing the Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron’s 12 week program to unblock creativity. Even though I’m not through it yet, it’s already helping me explore how to have more creativity in my life. It elicits the kind of reflection that I recognize is important for me at this stage of my life and career, to make sure I stay true to myself.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The last two series I watched fully that had a similar impact on me were “This Is Us” and “A Million Little Things”. They navigated the complexities of trauma, loss and relationships in such a powerful way that resonated a lot with experiences I’ve had in my own life. I already was a fan of the show, but was thrilled when the endings were actually well done. Each series ended with a deep reflection on life, empathy, and humanity with story arcs that still stick with me today.
Key learnings:
- Focusing on one thing and doing it is better than trying to do everything at once
- There is no one path to follow, honoring our creativity and intuition is vital to building a successful career
- Being authentic to who you are is the best way to build trust and be remembered for the right reasons