Have you met anyone recently who has ADHD? I suspect the answer is yes!

 I coach business owners and corporate business leaders, and I have lost count of the number of leaders who have declared that they either have ADHD or their partner or child has it. During my young adult years, whilst there was an awareness of it, it was rarely a topic of discussion. So, what has happened of late?

What’s causing the rise in the incidence of ADHD?

In the article ADHD Diagnostic Trends: Increased Recognition or Overdiagnosis? (Missouri Medicine, Sept – October 2022) Elie Abdelnour attributes the rise in the incidence of ADHD to several factors, namely:

• Increased awareness and familiarity with the diagnosis by medical practitioners and the general public.
• Improved access to care, particularly in developed world countries.
• An ADHD Awareness month (October) has existed since 2004.
• ADHD-related searches (via Google) were the highest they have ever been and increased significantly since 2004.
• Ubiquitous in Social Media. In 2022, the #ADHD had 1.4 billion views on TikTok.
• In 2013, the DSM-5 broadened the definition of ADHD significantly. One aspect of the broadening was the inclusion of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As a consequence, this gave rise to an increase in the diagnosis of ADHD.

As a leader with ADHD, how do you harness your effectiveness?

So, given this background and context, how can you harness your effectiveness as a leader if you live with ADHD?

It’s very empowering to understand your unique strengths and challenges and to adopt strategies that accommodate your strengths and mitigate your challenges. Here are some practical approaches:

1. Clear Communication: Ask your manager, peers, and employees to communicate with you succinctly and directly. In written communication, ask them to use bullet points and summaries. In meetings, request clear agendas and follow-up summaries to help with focus.
2. Structured Planning: Create structured plans and schedules. Use of tools like calendars, task managers, or productivity apps to break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps with deadlines.
3. Delegate Effectively: Assist in identifying tasks that can be delegated to others. ADHD can sometimes make it challenging to prioritise and stay focused on multiple tasks, so delegating responsibilities can help to maintain focus on high-priority tasks.
4. Initiate Breaks and Movement: ADHD often comes with restlessness. Build in short breaks and movement throughout the day. Physical activity can help improve focus and concentration.
5. Minimize Distractions: Create a work environment with minimal distractions. This could involve noise-cancelling headphones, designated quiet areas, or implementing strategies to manage interruptions.
6. Self-Care: Maintain regular exercise (daily), adequate sleep, and healthy eating habits. A balanced lifestyle can help manage symptoms of ADHD.
7. Flexibility with Work Arrangements: Initiate flexible work arrangements wherever feasible (i.e. remote work options or adjusted work hours). This can contribute to and enhance individual productivity.
8. Be transparent: Having ADHD is nothing to be ashamed of (people have mental health challenges in the same way that they have physical health challenges). Promote understanding among colleagues and your staff about ADHD in a natural way. Normalise discussions about different cognitive styles and ways of working.
9. Engage a Business Coach: Consider a well-qualified (preferably with a major in Psychology) business coach who can support your personal and leadership effectiveness.

In conclusion…

By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your effectiveness as a business leader and will be able to thrive and flourish, leveraging your unique strengths while effectively managing daily challenges.