ADHD & Leadership, the Pros & Cons

The ABCs of ADHD

Before we jump into this article, let’s start with defining ADHD. The term has gotten a lot of air time and people often use the term ADHD to describe a large assortment of behaviors. However, just because behaviors are present doesn’t necessarily mean that ADHD is present. Many other mental and physical health conditions can mimic ADHD.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder marked by persistent symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity that interfere with functioning or development.

Symptoms begin in childhood and can affect daily life, including social relationships and school or work performance. ADHD is well-known among children and teens, but many adults also have the disorder. And it is not unusual for adults to receive a diagnosis in their adult lives.

People with ADHD experience an ongoing pattern of:

Inattention: Having problems staying on task, paying attention, or being organized, which are not due to defiance or a lack of comprehension.

Hyperactivity: Being extremely restless or constantly moving, including in situations when it is not appropriate; excessively fidgeting or tapping; or talking too much.

Impulsivity: Acting without thinking, interrupting others, or having difficulty with self-control. Impulsivity can also involve a desire for immediate rewards or an inability to delay gratification or consider long-term consequences.

What are the signs and symptoms of ADHD?

Some people with ADHD mostly have symptoms of inattention. Others mostly have symptoms of hyperactivity and/or impulsivity. Some people have both types of symptoms.

It is common for people to experience inattention, excess activity, and impulsivity some of the time. But, for people with ADHD, these behaviors:

• Are more severe

• Occur more often

• Interfere with or impair functioning in social situations, at school or work

Inattention

People with symptoms of inattention may often:

Overlook or miss details and make seemingly careless mistakes during school, work, or other activities

Have difficulty sustaining attention during play, work, or tasks, such as conversations, lectures, or homework

Not seem to listen when spoken to directly

Find it hard to follow through on instructions or finish work, chores, or assignments

Start tasks but lose focus and get easily sidetracked

Have difficulty organizing tasks and activities, doing tasks in order, keeping track of materials and belongings, managing time, and meeting deadlines

Avoid tasks that require sustained attention, such as doing homework, preparing reports, completing forms, or reading long papers

Lose important things, such as school supplies, books, wallets, keys, paperwork, eyeglasses, and cell phones

Be easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli

Be forgetful in daily activities, such as completing chores, running errands, returning calls, and keeping appointments

Hyperactivity-impulsivity

People with symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity may often:

• Fidget and squirm while seated
• Leave their seats in situations when staying seated is expected, such as in the classroom or at the office
• Run, dash around, or climb at inappropriate times or, in teens and adults, feel frequently restless
• Be unable to play or engage in hobbies quietly
• Be constantly in motion or act as if driven by a motor
• Talk excessively or interrupt others
• Answer questions before they are fully asked, finish other people’s sentences, or speak when it is not their turn in a conversation
• Have difficulty waiting, for example, in conversations, games, or activities

Primary care providers sometimes diagnose and treat ADHD. They may also make a referral to a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, who can do a thorough evaluation and make an ADHD diagnosis.

For a person to receive an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity must:

Be chronic or long lasting

Impair functioning

Cause them to fall behind typical development for their age

Stress, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and other physical conditions or illnesses can cause similar symptoms to those of ADHD. Therefore, a thorough evaluation is necessary to determine the cause of symptoms.

Most people with ADHD receive a diagnosis during the elementary school years. For teens or adults to be diagnosed with ADHD, their symptoms must have been present before age 12.

Symptoms of ADHD can be mistaken for emotional or disciplinary problems or missed entirely in children who primarily have symptoms of inattention, leading to a delay in diagnosis. Adults with undiagnosed ADHD may have a history of poor academic performance, problems at work, or strained relationships.

ADHD symptoms can change as a person ages.

Adults with ADHD may be irritable, have a low tolerance for frustration and stress, or show frequent or intense mood changes. Inattention, restlessness, and impulsivity tend to persist into adulthood, although, in some people, those symptoms become less severe and less impairing.

Can a business benefit from a leader with ADHD?

If you have lived with this diagnosis or had a relationship with someone who has, you might need to give yourself some space to recognize some of the deeply valuable qualities that can come with ADHD. Because we live in a world of hyper change, the skillset of a person with ADHD can be invaluable to speed up progress.

It’s imperative to understand that people with ADHD are not attention deficit, they’re attention different. ADHD isn’t a problem we need to fix. The person has a power that allows them to see something different.

We can learn a great deal from the treasures in people who are different.

Leaders with ADHD may also have higher energy levels, which can be great for generating a positive atmosphere at work, and boosting morale within teams.

It is important to recognize that individuals with neurological differences such as ADHD can have multiple talents and strengths that contribute to success. We can empower aspiring leaders with ADHD to thrive by giving them the opportunities to capitalize on these strengths, the support they need to overcome challenges in the workplace, and by creating a neuro-inclusive environment. This will enable organizations to develop valuable ADHD leaders who inspire teams, think differently and strive for organizational success, creating a competitive advantage in the economy of the future.

Did you know? Benjamin Franklin, Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, Louis Pasteur, Beethoven, and most recently Simone Biles and Michael Phelps are assumed to have ADHD or been diagnosed with ADHD.

When an adult is diagnosed later in life, it’s different story. A leader with ADHD goes to great lengths to make a connection to their unique talents. They’re often on their own to design personalized systems in order to fit in, be part of and/or lead teams.

A seasoned point of view and the ability to hold a conversation trumps your label. The world is changing faster than ever. Our minds need to learn deeply in order to do our jobs.

ADHD can help to navigate chaos. People are willing to go into battle with you. You build a following as a founder or a leader. You’re unafraid of being in conflict because you gain confidence from being in it over and over and you build your own skillset.

It’s time to reframe the way we look at ADHD as less of a condition of distraction and more a resource for action!

What can a person do who is living with an ADHD diagnosis to succeed?

THE BASICS/DEALMAKERS

Eating regularly – helps regulate blood sugar levels to better “self regulate” responses to emotions. When hyper-focused, the most basic body requirement of eating can be neglected. A task may be completed at extraordinary speed and level of accomplishment, but dehydration can also occur and low blood sugar levels, migraines and so forth if not re-fuelling the nutritional tank.

Hydration – lack of water can result in headaches, constipation, mental fog, the list goes on. Replenishing with H20 helps everything work better to work better.

Exercise – is one of the best ways to set up for success. Exercise creates and releases critical neurochemicals that help make brains work better. And because ADHD is a deficiency in dopamine, naturally enhancing the creation and uptake of dopamine with exercise, we’re able to cope better all round. Some ADHD experts claim that exercise alone can be enough to combat symptoms of ADHD in some people.

Sleep – a sleep deficit directly impacts the quality of thinking, memory recall, concentration, and emotional resilience. Prioritizing a minimum of 6 hours sleep is crucial for optimal functioning. 

Medication – the benefits of medication to assist with ADHD symptoms is well known. Medication is one of the fundamental structural supports for many of us with ADHD. Older adults may be recommended to use other medications due to some cardiac issues associated with stimulant treatment.

Community – being in connection with others who live with ADHD is an important part of mental health. It reduces the stigma about feeling alone. There are many people with ADHD who are overcoming their challenges, who are thriving in their zones of interest and talent. One of the most helpful things we can do for ourselves is to connect with others living with ADHD. 

Finally, working with a professional who is trained as a coach for those diagnosed with ADHD. There are numerous approaches that can effectively support a person as they manage their personal and professional issues that stem from their ADHD. Using platforms like PsychologyToday.com, Betterhelp.com can be a solution to locating a specialist.

In Conclusion:

This article just scratches the surface about ADHD and leadership. If you suspect or know you are living with or struggling with ADHD, contact me for a free 15 minute consultation and we can discuss options for making progress and locating services to best meet your needs! 440-212-4987. Remember, ADHD can supercharge parts of your life, it’s important to look at the positive attributes not just the challenges and adjust your mindset about the condition.