If you’re a leader with ADHD, chances are you’ve experienced the highs and lows that come with it: bursts of creativity, sharp insight, fast problem-solving – followed by overwhelm, procrastination, or struggling to get traction on the things that matter most. In my recent conversation with Anj Cairns – ADHD Leadership Coach I gained some important insights.
ADHD brings strengths – and they’re often undervalued
Leaders with ADHD often have big-picture thinking, empathy, passion and creativity in spades. They spot connections others don’t see and bring energy to projects others might avoid. The challenge is that these traits are often overshadowed by perceived shortcomings around focus or follow-through.
Traditional leadership norms don’t always fit
Expectations around how a leader should behave – calm, structured, always in control – can clash with the lived experience of ADHD. This mismatch can cause leaders to mask, overcompensate or doubt themselves. Reframing leadership to include neurodivergent traits is essential.
It’s not just a productivity issue – it’s emotional
ADHD can bring emotional intensity, rejection sensitivity, and difficulty regulating internal pressure. That means tasks aren’t just about getting things done – they’re tied up with deeper fears and feelings. A missed deadline isn’t just a deadline, it can feel like failure. This emotional toll needs recognition and compassion.
Support makes a difference – but it needs to be tailored
Coaching, accountability, flexible work patterns, and the freedom to delegate can make a huge difference. But what works varies widely. The key is curiosity, being able to experiment, and leaders feeling safe enough to ask for what they need.
Creating inclusive cultures benefits everyone
When we design teams, meetings and goals with neurodivergent people in mind – with more structure, more clarity and more compassion everyone benefits. Inclusive leadership is about creating a level playing field and unlocking potential.
Whether you have ADHD, suspect you might, or work with someone who does take a listen to our conversation in this episode of The Quiet Leadership Revolution podcast.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here (or wherever you listen to your podcasts).