50 | THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Leigh-Ann Hart ACIPP, IPP Education Assessments Team Leader In true ADHD fashion, I rewrote this opening sentence around 15 times, moving between serious and humorous and even becoming philosophical. I’ve written for various publications and often find that both the perfect opening and the perfect closing elude me. I feel pressure to get it exactly right while remaining succinct and engaging. Once I begin, my fingers race to keep up with the thoughts overflowing in my head. There’s no stopping me until I reach the end. Then comes the doubt. I want to finish strongly and do justice to the content, yet I question whether it’s truly complete. This pattern reflects how I've approached tasks and projects at work. I was late recognising these traits and only received my ADHD diagnosis in recent years. It’s helped me understand that procrastination and decision paralysis at the start of a task aren’t personal failings, but common symptoms of ADHD. Letting go of that embarrassment has made it easier to ask for support. The rush of enthusiasm and energy that comes once I’ve found my footing no longer feels so fractured and chaotic. Instead, I can channel it to motivate and engage others. My leadership style is rooted in teamwork and connection. I’ve also learned to stop criticising myself for details missed or things forgotten. My restless nature allows me to explore different perspectives and learn from mistakes. Self- doubt at the end of a project isn’t exclusive to ADHD, but it can feel magnified if I focus on what I cannot control. Instead, I work to reframe situations and focus on the positive. Receiving my diagnosis and releasing years of guilt, shame and anxiety has been a profound gift. The feelings still ebb and flow, but they no longer feel like a constant weight. – Owner, Carval Computing and Technical Director, Civica Unlike the others in this article, my experience isn’t my own but my daughter’s. She was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at 13, a condition often associated with other neurodivergent conditions, including ADHD. More than half of children with Tourette’s have Jason Sweby, Payroll Software Specialist
Sarah McIntosh, Chief Executive, MHFA England: "We're so grateful to the CIPP and the individuals in the pay industries for sharing their stories and experiences of ADHD so openly. With around one in seven people in the UK being neurodivergent, workplaces must consider how they create mentally healthy cultures where everyone can thrive. At MHFA England, we understand that psychological safety is a driver of engagement, productivity and wellbeing. When it comes to the psychological safety individuals feel in their day-to-day roles and activities, our research has found that those who are neurodiverse were less likely to feel that their contributions were valued. They were also more afraid of being blamed or punished for mistakes they made. We must change this. There are some simple tips I'd recommend to embed neuroinclusion into the workplace: l review your recruitment processes to make sure they're accessible to all l train and support managers to understand inclusive leadership and mental health l encourage everyone to complete a plan for working well so managers and individuals know what's required for people to work at their best l raise awareness to educate staff about neurodiversity and promote an inclusive culture l offer support to all employees. By taking the time to understand your whole workforce, who they are and how they work, you can create happier, high performing teams. MHFA England’s free 'My Whole Self' resources will help you create a culture where everyone feels seen, heard and valued. They can be found here: https://ow.ly/ vMPB50YwrFA ."
ADHD, and around one in five children with ADHD have tics or Tourette-related disorders. As a teenager, she became increasingly aware of her difficulty when it came to focussing, and particularly, when it came to starting tasks. At a time when exam revision was expected, this was extremely challenging and a clear example of the executive function difficulties linked to ADHD. After researching it herself, she came to us and said, “I think I have ADHD.” We began the process with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) so she could receive support and a formal diagnosis. While exam accommodation was helpful, what she really wanted was clarity. The process took years. Her diagnosis was confirmed on the eve of her 18th birthday, too late for A-levels but in time for university. With the right accommodation and medication, she’s thrived. She uses lists extensively, writes more than needed and then edits back, and now takes on things that once felt daunting. As she puts it, “I’m a changed woman.” Finding the right medication was challenging. Although stimulants may seem counterintuitive, they’re often the first-line treatment for ADHD and can improve focus and regulation. Immediate release medication helped in short bursts but led to a noticeable crash. Extended-release tablets later provided steadier coverage. Finding the right balance takes time. Since her diagnosis, it’s been suggested that she may have inherited her ADHD from me, and perhaps I from my mother. However, it hasn’t affected my life in the same way. As CAMHS state, “ADHD frequently runs in families, but its impact can differ greatly from person to person.”
If you’d like to reach out and discuss any of the content of this article with the authors, or to speak to them regarding ADHD more generally, please find their LinkedIn details below:
Jennifer Brown
Adrian Goddard
Jason Sweby
Leigh-Ann Hart
'My Whole Self’ supports organisations to build psychologically safe, inclusive cultures where everyone is safe to speak up, share ideas and be themselves at work. You can see the campaign here: https://ow.ly/ViTh50YwrET. Adrian recently appeared on MHFA’s ‘My Whole Self’ webinar . You can watch this by scanning the QR code here:
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker