As a Microsoft 365 consultant I spend a lot of time helping organisations make their digital workplace more efficient. We look at products, adoption, and all the clever features that can speed up daily work. But efficiency only matters when the environment is clear, understandable, and supportive for the people who use it.
As an autistic person, I rely on clear communication, flexibility, transparent processes, and calm working environments to function at my best, and AI tools like Microsoft 365 Copilot have been a genuine lifesaver because they help me create the clarity and structure I need in a world that often feels overwhelming and unpredictable.
The reality is that many of us have specific conditions that help us perform well. Working in a second language, caring for a family member, joining meetings from busy locations, or dealing with constant information overload can make daily work feel heavy. To stay focused, we need clarity. We need structure. We need processes that reduce unnecessary noise.
What used to be called accommodations are now simply good design choices. Microsoft 365 Copilot fits perfectly into this shift because it helps every person by reducing cognitive load and making information more accessible.
Over the years I developed a personal philosophy about work. I believe that slowing down to create clarity leads to better outcomes than rushing through confusion. I need transparent communication, predictable processes, and a calm digital space to do my best work. These might sound like personal preferences, but they make work better for everyone. And yes, I too need to be reminded of this every so often.
I need clear communication
Vague instructions or meetings without clear outcomes take a lot of energy from me. I work best when I know exactly what is needed so I can focus on delivering value.
Copilot in Teams helps me manage this. When a meeting becomes messy or people talk at the same time, I can ask Copilot to list the decisions, the action items, or anything I might have missed. It removes the stress of trying to keep up with every detail.
How this helps you
You might not need the same type of structure. But maybe you are tired after a short night’s rest. Maybe you are on a train. Maybe you are following a conversation in your second language. Clear communication supports everyone, not just a few people.
I need transparent processes
As a consultant I often step into new teams or client environments. The technical work is never the hardest part. The hardest part is understanding what information is already available, how previous decisions are made, and what work has already been done previously and by who.
Copilot Chat gives me the context I need. I can ask for recent updates, summaries of long threads, or the latest version of a document without depending on multiple colleagues. It saves time and reduces stress.
How this helps you
This is not only helpful for consultants. It also supports new employees, people returning from leave, or anyone who needs to catch up quickly. Transparent processes reduce the fear of asking questions and help people start with confidence.
I need a calm digital working environment
The modern workplace is full of noise. Notifications, emails, chats, reminders. Even useful tools can become distractions when they appear all day long. For me, too much digital noise makes it harder to deliver high quality work.
Copilot in Outlook helps me bring back calm. It summarises long email threads and drafts replies when I need to communicate clearly but do not have the mental space to write everything from scratch. It reduces cognitive load and keeps me focused.
Also, don’t be ashamed to set your Teams to “not not disturb” when you need to focus on work.
How this helps you
You might be juggling multiple tasks. You might be stressed or tired. Or you might just want to work more quietly. A calm digital environment is something every person benefits from.
Accessibility benefits everyone
Accessibility is often described as something created for a small group of people. But when we design work in a way that is clear, flexible, and calm, we create a truly inclusive workspace and we help a much larger group than we realise.
We help the busy manager who needs quick summaries.
We help the parent who is tired.
We help the colleague returning from leave.
We help the multilingual team trying to follow fast conversations.
We help the person who is overwhelmed and just trying to get through a difficult day.
Copilot can make your work faster, but I often use it to make work clearer. When you lower barriers for one person, you lower them for everyone.
