My belated story for World Mental Health Day. Navigating Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Turning your Weakness into Strength

It’s 7:45 a.m., and I’m already spiraling. I haven’t even opened my email, but I caught a glimpse of a name in my inbox—whether it be my boss, or a project stakeholder - my heart races. I start overthinking, anxiety sets in. What do they need, what did I do…, what must I do now..? Did I miss something…? Is it bad news….? My mind races ahead, and I haven’t even clicked on the message. Now imagine this feeling, throughout the day with every notification you get..

I have a presentation next week, and despite redoing it ten times and rehearsing repeatedly in my head, I’m filled with self-doubt. Did I prepare enough, am I saying enough?

What if I stumble and people start doubting my ability..?

At the same time, my thoughts break up again, this time personal aspects creep in and I start asking myself ?, should we redo the garden this year, when are we painting the study, should we do the library wall this month…?

I open my laptop, my excel tracker is open and I am reminded of the DORA act readiness project and an overwhelming DORA cloud pops into my head relentlessly for the rest of the day. Whilst I am trying to focus. I get a SLA report from a supplier and all of a sudden I am reminded of the report I need to submit in three weeks, its simple and easy, but it already feels like a weight crushing down on me.

It is time for headphones, time to focus, time to switch off for a couple minutes..

This constant mix of overthinking, stress, and sensory overload is something I’ve learned to manage, but it never fully goes away. Yet, in this whirlwind of anxiety and chaotic thoughts, I’ve found the tools to excel. Having ADHD and Asperger’s, I’ve come to realize that my ability to hyper-focus in moments of stress can be a superpower.

Thriving in Chaos: The Gift of Hyper-focus

I’ve built a career around transforming chaos into clarity. Whether it was leading the deployment of complex IT infrastructure, managing multi-national teams, or driving digital transformation, the ability to hyper-focus has been my greatest asset. In roles that demanded quick problem-solving, innovative thinking, and the capacity to juggle numerous tasks at once, I was able to channel my ADHD-driven hyper-fixation into completing large, critical projects under high-pressure conditions.

For example, during my time as Head of Digital Enablement & Collaboration at Merchants, I not only migrated the organization’s intelligence infrastructure from QlikView to Power BI—reducing costs by over 80%—but also developed and deployed a COPC-aligned Quality360 framework, significantly improving operational insights in a? very short time frame. This ability to take on complex projects, immerse myself completely, and deliver results was fueled by my intense focus, something that often arises from the very stress and anxiety that come with my neurodivergent mind.

Challenges: A Constant Battle with Time and Overwhelm

It hasn’t always been an easy journey though. Time management remains one of my greatest challenges. There’s a crippling fear of being late or not delivering on time, which leads to overthinking, and ironically, cramming a heap of work into short, intense bursts. I’ve found myself constantly battling distractions, especially when the tasks at hand don’t provide enough challenge or novelty to keep me engaged. Boredom can lead to a wandering mind, and even the smallest interruptions can derail my progress for hours and sometimes days.

I also struggle with sensory overload. Being in environments with too many people or excessive noise can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, sometimes even an urge to cry or scream and just run away. At the same time, there are moments when I crave that very same environment. It’s a delicate balance, one that often feels out of my control.

Late Diagnosis: A Blessing and a Curse

Receiving a diagnosis late in life has been both a relief and a source of immense frustration. On one hand, understanding why I’ve always felt different has helped me make sense of past experiences. It explained why I would get frustrated with colleagues or friends when they disrespected time or why I needed to wear headphones just to focus in busy environments. It also made sense of my insatiable drive for new challenges—tasks that were novel, difficult, and entirely unfamiliar allowed me to thrive. It also explains why I find normal everyday tasks and activities challenging.

On the other hand, I often wonder how different things might have been had I known earlier. Without the tools or awareness of my condition, there were missed opportunities and struggles I didn’t fully understand and were not equipped to manage and process. Yet, by not being diagnosed and being forced to cope, adapt, and survive, I developed resilience. I have to say, having an amazing family and friend group that love and support you, does make you think and believe that anything is possible, regardless of the challenges life throws at you.

The Power of Adaptation and Self-Acceptance

Over time, I’ve come to embrace my neurodivergence as a strength. In a VUCA world filled with volatility and uncertainty, where change is constant, my ability to hyper-focus, thrive in chaos, and solve complex problems has allowed me to not only succeed but lead.

From managing large-scale IT transformations to developing innovative customer solutions, I’ve built a career on the ability to harness the power of my mind. It’s a journey that has been far from easy, but I hope that by sharing my story, I can inspire others who might feel overwhelmed by their own challenges. Know that there is strength in our differences, and with the right support, anything is possible.

My journey is far from over. As I continue to grow, I strive to advocate for more inclusivity and understanding of neurodivergent individuals in the workplace. With greater awareness and empathy, we can unlock untapped potential and create environments where everyone has the chance to thrive and lead.

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