How To Thrive At Work When You're Neurodivergent: Dr. Ned Hallowell On ADD Gifts
Do you ever feel like you're always missing the memo? If you have:
Sat in meetings feeling like a misfit
Kicked yourself because you often say the wrong thing
Felt like you’re always waiting for people to catch up with your ideas at work… but also getting lost and losing the thread of the conversation
Felt like you talk and nobody understands what you’re saying-- even though it’s crystal clear to you
Had many great ideas but they don’t seem to become reality
Ignored rules you think are stupid, only to pay a price later
… you might feel like you’re missing the memo. You might be neurodivergent. A lot of us with tricky brains have trouble staying engaged, behaving "correctly," or fitting into systems like school and work. Most systems aren’t made for people like us. We’re bumpy, messy even, and systems are linear — neat and well ordered. Like me, you may have a brain that’s constantly firing on all cylinders, disinhibited, and tough to hem in. But also… freaking amazing.
I recently spoke with Edward (Ned) Hallowell, M.D., psychiatrist, ADHD expert, and author of numerous books including "ADHD 2.0." Hallowell, who has ADD and dyslexia himself, doesn't see these conditions as disorders. Instead, he views them as gifts waiting to be unwrapped. Listen to our interview:
"Everything in the world of ADD is a blessing and curse," Hallowell told me. "People say distractibility is such a curse, but what is curiosity but a form of distractibility? I try to help people turn this condition mostly into an asset."
For many of us with neurodivergent brains, our minds are constantly firing, generating new ideas, thoughts, and plans. It's like having a Ferrari engine for a brain, but with bicycle brakes, says Hallowell. The challenge lies in organizing ideas, breaking them down, and knowing when to pump those brakes.
While I wouldn't trade my creative, chaotic brain for anything (I wrote a entire book proposal this weekend!), I've learned that success often requires building skills to apply the brakes when needed (I realized Monday I’d acted impulsively and had to backtrack). Here are three common gifts of neurodivergence, the challenges they present at work, and some solutions from Ned Hallowell, which I've found helpful:
1. Your Gift: Incredible ideas and endless innovation
Your Challenge: Follow-through
Solution: Keep it interesting with rewards
Our busy brains crave stimulation and novelty. We might shine in brainstorming sessions but struggle with the day-to-day grind of bringing ideas to life. The key is to make even mundane tasks engaging.
I break projects into tiny, detailed milestones. After completing an hour or two of work, I reward myself with something simple like a nice cup of coffee or time in my garden. Hallowell shared how he "gamified" boring tasks in school, turning tedious homework into a challenge. Develop this cognitive muscle, and it'll serve you well throughout your career.
Remember, leadership gets tough when it stops being fun. Have a rich store of engaging activities and look forward to daily rewards for following through on the tedious stuff.
2. Gift: Seeing solutions others don't
Challenge: Bringing others along and gaining buy-in
Solution: Practice making clearer arguments and pitches
Many successful people are neurodivergent. Our brains excel at pattern recognition, conceptualization, and creative problem-solving. However, we can sometimes confuse others by jumping ahead or hyperfocusing on a tangent. Of course, this is where great innovations can lie. But because we don’t always think linearly, we may face barriers in getting to yes. In most organizations, decisions are based on clear, linear arguments. Here's my advice:
Timing is crucial. Learn how your colleagues prefer to receive information and choose the right moment to present your ideas. Would a pre-read help? Are they more receptive on certain days?
Simplify your message. What seems crystal clear to you might confuse others. I've learned to invest time in breaking down my arguments and making them more linear. Try blocking out your ideas in PowerPoint slides, ensuring a clear beginning, middle, and end to your narrative.
Ask yourself: What problem am I solving and am I making things clear for others? Is there a clear decision I'm asking for? Are next steps obvious? Mirror the language that works in your organization. If your boss talks about synergy and ROI, frame your argument in those terms.
3. Gift: Incredible imagination and forward thinking
Challenge: Anxiety and worry that trips you up
Solution: Learn how to manage worry
Hallowell explains that people with ADD, for example, often have larger-than-average imaginations - and worry is a byproduct of that active mind. "We're good at coming up with all kinds of things to worry about because we tend to be smart and creative," he says.
Why do we worry so much? Because it's stimulating. We excel at dreaming up scenarios, most of which are unrealistic and unlikely to happen. This "infinite web of what-ifs" keeps us stuck.
ADD is anxiogenic - it makes people anxious. When you feel out of control, constantly concerned about your next mistake or faux pas, you're living in a cloud of anxiety. Treating the underlying ADD can help reduce this anxiety and boost achievement, says Hallowell.
Hallowell offers a three-step process for combating worry:
1. Never worry alone. Connect with another person. This simple act can transform worrying into problem-solving.
2. Get the facts. Toxic worry often stems from misinformation or lack of information.
3. Make a plan. Whether it works or not, having a plan gives you a sense of control. Be prepared to adapt as needed - life is a constant process of changing plans.
As neurodivergent individuals, we possess incredible gifts - the ability to innovate, see unique solutions, and imagine possibilities others might miss. But navigating a work world not designed for our minds can be challenging. By recognizing our strengths, developing strategies to manage our challenges, and learning to manage anxiety, we can thrive in our careers and lives.
Remember, your neurodivergent brain isn't a liability - it's your hidden superpower. Embrace it, nurture it, and learn to harness its incredible potential by building new skills at work. You may feel like you're missing the memo sometimes, but trust me, you're writing a whole new playbook.
Morra
P.S.: I have found using AI (I love Claude Sonnet) to help edit my newsletters and posts helps present my thinking in a more linear manner. What tools do you use to streamline your arguments?