Careers with ADHD: embracing neurodiversity in the workplace

Also, make sure to explore our other blogs from this series: about High Sensitivity and Autism.

Research tells us that around 15-20% of people worldwide are neurodivergent – a broad term that covers a range of conditions related to brain functioning and behavioural traits. The specifics may vary, but it means that there are up to one in five individuals working at a company like Zühlke navigating their careers and neurodiversity at the same time. For this piece, we spoke to two of our team members who have ADHD: Gabriella Hersche (Learning and Development Expert) and Tuana Savrim (DevOps Engineer). This is what they had to say about how they have learned to succeed in a dynamic and quality-oriented work environment as individuals with this condition.

ADHD: an overview

First of all, what do we mean when we talk about ADHD? For many people, an image of a fidgeting child is the first thing that comes to mind, but it’s actually a condition that can manifest in a range of different ways, and impact people of all ages. The core features are generally classified as inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, although the degree of each can vary significantly between people, sometimes not being present at all. Around 2.5-6.7% of adults globally are affected – and up to 75% of adults were not diagnosed as such as children. People assigned female at birth (AFAB) particularly tend to go undiagnosed until later in life because their symptoms often don’t fit the ‘typical’ picture of hyperactivity.

Issues to do with concentration are usually top of mind when talking about ADHD at work. It’s a topic both colleagues raised in one way or another, but this was just one of the dynamics they shared with us. They also mentioned challenges around time management, prioritisation and not thinking in a linear way like others, for example. For those with the condition, this often leads to questions as to their abilities and commitment.

This reframing of the condition is a common thread throughout our conversations, and we’ll expand on it later.

Looking at the positives

It’s easy to jump directly to the challenges people with ADHD face, but that’s not the full story. Speaking to our team members, their different way of thinking and processing means they can bring unique strengths to their work too. Gabriella, for example says she finds it easy to think creatively – and to spark creativity in turn. 

She also identifies an innate tendency towards entrepreneurship, explaining that the flip side of the ‘impulsivity’ trait is being naturally less risk-averse. This means those with ADHD can often be more confident in trying new approaches or exploring opportunities more freely than might otherwise be the case, which can spark innovative new possibilities for businesses. 

For Tuana, one of the big strengths she’s identified is her ability to stay calm under pressure. 'When things are critical, people come to me because I find the challenge exciting rather than frightening,' she says. In these situations, her hyperfocus is a positive, as is her capacity for holding uncertainty without becoming overly stressed. These are just some of the positives those with ADHD are able to draw on, and help to paint a more rounded picture of the condition in a workplace context.

Overcoming challenges

The colleagues are all clear on one thing: an ADHD diagnosis doesn’t mean you can’t also have a successful career. You may just need to work smart to overcome some aspects of the condition. Gabriella, for example, makes notes to help keep herself on track. “I use a whiteboard to map out complex ideas, bringing more clarity, and begin each day by writing a prioritised to-do list by hand to focus on tasks and manage my time efficiently,” she explains. 

For both individuals, working with ADHD coaches has helped them to be more effective at work. Tuana explains that it’s taught her ways to 'hack the ADHD brain', working with her natural tendencies and not against them. She also shares some simple solutions she’s found, like asking team members to message her directly when there is a specific task that requires her attention, rather than including requests in long email threads. 'To someone with ADHD, sifting through large volumes of text to find what is relevant to them can be overwhelming, but a direct request is easy to deal with straight away,' she says.

Navigating a career with ADHD

Lastly, each of our colleagues shared ways in which ADHD has impacted their careers from a big picture perspective. Gabriella, for example, says it’s likely been behind her varied journey. 'Others can stay in the same area for 20 years, but I thrive on change in my life, so my career path hasn’t grown in a traditional way,' she explains. Tuana, on the other hand, shares that she has had to learn and understand both her strengths and limitations, but also that she doesn’t have to force herself to fit in.

When asked for their advice for others navigating a career with ADHD, both individuals advocated for being as open and honest as you can in your workplace. Gabriella also shares that it’s important to know what ADHD means for you. 'Once you identify your challenges, you can develop strategies to get around them, and once you know your strengths you can really use them to your advantage,' she says. She concludes by sharing an easy tip for neurotypical colleagues to consider when communicating: 'When talking to someone with ADHD, always start with the outcome or conclusion. While this may seem to contradict traditional storytelling techniques, individuals with ADHD tend to wonder about the ending as you start speaking, distracting them from engaging with any details of your story.'