JP Morgan’s Justin Nelson Explains How to Manage Neurodiverse Teams

Hiring a neurodiverse employee is one step. Helping that person do excellent work every day is another, and Justin Nelson believes managers often underestimate how much the second part depends on clear structure.

Nelson serves as Managing Director and Head of the Asset Management and Financial Principals Coverage Team at JP Morgan Private Bank in Connecticut. His team oversees more than $15 billion in assets, so he knows what precise, reliable work looks like. He also has personal insight into the barriers that people on the autism spectrum face at work.

Break the Work Into Defined Pieces

The core of his advice is about project management. Broad goals can leave a neurodiverse employee unsure where to begin or what counts as finished. Nelson recommends splitting objectives into specific tasks with clear boundaries.

“You have to assign tasks and ensure that they understand how this fits into a larger plan or set of rules,” he advises.

That context matters. When employees see how their piece connects to the whole, they can apply their focus with confidence instead of guessing at expectations.

Why the Effort Pays Off

Justin Nelson is direct about the return on this approach. “If you can lay out the rules and know how to work and communicate with that group of people, you probably have some of your best employees,” he observes.

He points to strengths that suit finance well. Neurodiverse workers can be highly creative and bring computational skills well above average, according to Justin Nelson JP Morgan managing director. Their difficulty usually lies in communication, which he describes as the biggest hurdle these candidates face.

Nelson’s broader framework asks firms to rethink interviews, provide structured task management, and partner with specialist organizations. One such group, Broad Futures, helps employers learn about neurodiversity and run programs to select candidates. He also works with Adelphi University’s Bridges Program, which supports high-functioning students on the spectrum.

For managers, the lesson is concrete. Clear rules and well-scoped assignments cost little to set up, and they can turn a capable hire into a standout contributor. See related link for additional information.

More about Justin Nelson JP Morgan on https://www.crunchbase.com/person/justin-nelson-a8e8