Embracing ADHD in the workplace

In many workplaces the celebrated trait is productivity. If you can be a productive colleague, then you are adding maximum value to your organisation. But being a ‘productive’ team member can come in many different formats and it is time we opened our eyes to the different ways people work to achieve the same end goal.?

The traits associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can present both challenges and remarkable strengths. We can take a well-educated guess that every one of us will work with neurodiverse colleagues, or even resonate with some neurodiverse traits ourselves. ?

It's crucial to understand and appreciate the multifaceted nature of ADHD at work to foster a work environment where everyone can thrive and reach their goals by learning from each other.?

Is your perception of others presenting a barrier??

Many people don’t know if they are working alongside a colleague with ADHD, but what you might notice is a set of behaviours and traits that can easily be misinterpreted if you don’t have awareness of condition.??

Making assumptions about these behaviours can present a barrier to collaboration and reaching goals together as a team – do any of these thoughts resonate with you when interacting with colleagues??

They’re so ambitious; how do I keep up? ?

How are they always working on so many things, just pick one at a time!?

They have so many reminders and notes, seems a bit disorganised to me.?

What’s it like on the other side??

Now, let's step into the shoes of people with ADHD in the workplace to better understand the reality behind the perceptions.?

Driven by curiosity: It isn’t praise or accolades that fuel us, but raw curiosity. ?

“Sometimes our enthusiasm and interest in multiple projects can be misinterpreted as ambition and feel intimidating. But it’s just our brains craving stimulation, seeking connections, and refusing to be confined to a single track.”?

A tsunami of ideas: The way we think can help us to weave together multiple threads of seemingly random information to form innovative ideas. ?

“My version of getting to an end point is not linear and clear. This means it might look like I've got a million side projects, but it is my pathway to impact. From my experience, when you're in an enabling environment it can all work.”?

Chaotic thinking: ?We don’t think in a linear or A to B way.

“Process-driven tasks and structured delivery and conversations are tough. Our nature is to go off in tangents, albeit with the same goal in mind. We invest time and energy into finding tools or techniques to help deliver aspects and share our ideas.” ?

Balancing frustration: We experience intense emotional highs and lows and can’t always react or ‘calm down’ in the same way that others can. ?

“I feel particularly emotional and sensitive when people don't see me and understand what I'm trying to say and get very dismissive and it's hard to articulate. It's hard when working with others to try and convey your thinking and your ideas and get stuff done and it just feels like this pressure inside.”?

Constantly alert: It is hard for us to distinguish between different stimuli, thoughts and distractions. ?

“Sometimes when I’m speaking to someone, something I see will trigger a thought. This thing?is just as loud as the words you are saying and the thought I am thinking, which means that when I talk, I have moved the conversation ten steps in another direction. It helps when people start with their point and then tell me the context, it means my thoughts have something to go back to.”?

What can we learn from each other??

It is important to remember that we all have our ways of thinking, feeling and doing. Being open-minded to people’s own way of working can help build an environment that is understanding and supportive, where no one feels constrained, and everyone is enabled to be productive – in their own way.?

Some things to remember:?

• Empathy: Create a culture of empathy and understanding which is built on the principle that diversity in thinking enriches our teams and leads to innovative solutions.?
• Education and awareness: Encourage open discussions about ADHD and other neurodiversity and be curious.?
• Clear communication: Establish communication channels that recognise and value diverse thinking styles.?
• Tools and resources: Empower people to access support that works for them by providing the parameters, but not a shortlist, to access and use tools for organisation, writing and time management.?

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