Divergent Thinkers Purpose

To help organisations, teams and individuals understand differences in how we all think and experience the world around us. This understanding removes barriers to authenticity, improves engagement, productivity and creates better connections at work and at home. 

My name is Gavin Pocock and people have always been at the centre of my career journey. I find people fascinating, as individuals as well as when we work together to achieve something great. Everyone’s story is so different, our gifts, motivations and passions, our foibles and blind spots not to mention our life experiences. This package forms the person we are, and the person others get to work with.  

My experiences at work in the private and public sector, as well as running my own business have always been up and down. While qualified, enthusiastic and capable, I would regularly find myself burning out. It was not until the last few years when I was diagnosed with Autism and ADHD that a lot of these experiences started to make more sense.  

My career has been pretty eclectic.  After completing a business degree at La Trobe university, I moved between roles and industries trying to find a role that fit me. I worked in customer service, warehousing, administration, insurance underwriting and human resources data reporting. Nothing quite fit. 

With the birth of my first child I had the opportunity to be a stay at home dad and I have loved it ever since. Caring for the first, then second and third, of our children has delivered on variety, challenge and purpose for me.  During this time I decided my career needed to pivot to something more creative. I completed a master’s degree in landscape architecture at the University of Melbourne and started a part time design practice. I love the conceptual thinking and process of design. I loved it enough that I got involved in teaching design at Deakin University. 

The more teaching I did, the more I enjoyed it. Connecting with students, sharing ideas and seeing people develop were what got me out of bed every day. Over the last few years I have taught design studios and subjects on professional practice and Indigenous engagement and inclusion . 

My journey has involved as many downs as ups. I have been challenged by anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember. Via seeking help, a wonderful therapist spoke to me about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I was fortunate enough to be able to get a diagnosis which also found that I am well and truly on the Autism spectrum as well. Suddenly, through this neurodivergent lens, so many of my experiences and challenges made much more sense.

The pandemic threw a curveball at my academic career and it was time to pivot once again. That’s where Divergent Thinkers comes in. Becoming more self-aware, I wanted to create a company that allows me to utilise my strengths and be the most authentic version of myself while helping others develop and succeed.

My qualifications include:

Master of Landscape Architecture - Melbourne School of Design - University of Melbourne

Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) - La Trobe University

Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment - The Gordon

Further information about my skills and experiences are available on LinkedIn, feel free to connect.