Notable person with Autism - Bill Gross Co-Founder of PIMCO

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Hi all, I was going through my favorites playlist on YouTube and happen to come across a video I had favorited a long while ago. It is an interview with Bill Gross who co-founded an investment firm named PIMCO with Bloomberg back in 2019. He was diagnosed with Asperger's (now ASD) in his early 70's. I have heard of Bill Gross and PIMCO before just from watching CNBC a lot during my teenage years and in my 20's. It's kind of funny but he mentions Bill Gates in the video as well. I thought it was neat so just thought i'd share

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34m0sXqfDxU&list=FLlM5ySfSxc3ONWFPE3evPug&index=77

EDIT: I wasn't able to share the YouTube video directly as Bloomberg blocks it but am able to share the link.

He presented and articulated well in that interview. The video also shows how people on the autism spectrum can flourish when business leaders believe in them. When leadership values neurodiversity the autistic individual can flourish.

The first presentation that I gave was to a lecture hall of 120 doctors. Someone on my team told me to present a specific topic to an unknown audience at a medical school. I prepared and rehearsed diligently and gave a flawless lecture. Afterwards a training specialist from HR approached me to thank me for the information. “When I saw you I thought you would be giving vapid platitudes but you are nothing like that at all, are you? You’re smart and charming.”

Bill Gross mentioned his ability to compartmentalize. 100% - that is true for me and many others I’ve spoken with who believe or know that they are on the spectrum. Compartmentalization is at the core of who we are and how we operate, which is why we can have so many special interests.

I thought so too! He did an excellent job during the interview. I absolutely agree with what you said that people on the autism spectrum can flourish when business leaders believe in them. That's incredible you gave a presentation to such a large group of Doctors! I would be very nervous but that's awesome you did great giving the presentation. I had a Speech class I tried to take in community college when I got out of high school but I ended up failing it. At the time my nerves got the best of me and I couldn't do it. Now I think I might be able too. I hated doing public speaking in school so I think memories of that were with me as well.

I thought it was neat how he talked about compartmentalization as well. I actually didn't know too much about it and started doing research last night. It makes sense that we kind of have extreme focus on areas for a period of time and then we can put it away and work on something else. I was able to do this at work for the most part. I also loved how he talked about being kind of up in the clouds. That is kind of how I am at times. Always thinking into the future.