The ADHD Leader
Posted on October 31, 2012 by Andrew Pebley, One of Thousands of ADD ADHD Coaches on Noomii.
ADHD: Disorder or Gift? This article dives into a discussion of the greatness within leader with ADHD.
Disorders exist to categorize people that don’t fit into the mold of every day ‘normal’ mental capacities and chemical differences affecting behavior. No argument that this system is needed! However, for some disorders, there seems to be an opposite side of the coin. Meaning, this should be categorized as a difference rather disorder. It is well known that, genetically, the ADHD brain is behaves slightly different than that of the general public. The difference is either; a.) not enough dopamine in the brain OR, b.) more dopamine receptors in the brain. In our current systems this difference leads to behavior outside of the norms, i.e. a disorder. However, let’s take a look at how organizations can benefit if someone who has this genetic difference and can behave outside the norms, the ADHD Leader.
Creativity:
There is a lot of evidence to support ADHD’ers are more likely to be creative. Part of that reason is the ability to be distracted and then be able to hyper-focus on one of those ideas that was created during the distraction phase (Switch ON – Switch OFF). This also can be said of creating a VISION! Discovering what direction to go and be able to feel, intuitively, what is the best decision is key for all great leaders. ADHD’ers are visionary people! Who wouldn’t want the ADHD Leader in their organization!?
Intuition:
ADHD’ers are a feeling people. This opens up strengths in several other areas of leadership that we will discuss in a bit. But, intuition is a feeling about what to do when there is a lack of science, evidence, data, etc. Because ADHD’ers are more connected between our sub-conscious world and our conscious worlds we have an ability others envy!
Participatory:
Watch how an ADHD child behaves in school and structure! You will quickly realize that these children, and adults alike, live on the fringe and are rule breakers. And, it isn’t necessarily because they are ‘bad’ children/adults. ADHD’ers work differently and don’t fit into the normal systems and structures. When forced, this leads to a dislike for hierarchy. It also lends itself to a leader that is more likely going to sit down as equals with others to solve problems and create solutions. This aspect is key to leadership and to The ADHD Leader!
Risk-Takers & Calm in the Storm:
In the same note of being rule breakers and living on the fringe, ADHD’ers are thrill seekers. Because of this thrill seeking tendency, combined with an incredible intuitive way of being, ADHD leaders take risks in their industries and markets. This also means that when things are stressful and demanding the increased level of dopamine and adrenaline, levels that would drown a normal human, elicit optimal performance. It could be said that in the heat of battle ADHD’ers possess a special weapon that will be an advantage verse the stressful opponent! It is beneficial to be able to work best when others “fight or flight” responses kick in.
“Flow”:
The opposite side of distractibility in the creativity process is the ability to hyper-focus or be in “flow.” Flow is an occurrence of being fully present and ‘in-tune’ with tasks/functions of their jobs. Organizations pay millions if not billions of dollars each year helping create “flow.” Having a leader with the ability to naturally be in flow sets the example for the rest of the organization and increases the likelihood their organization will work in “flow.”
