"When we understand how our minds work—and honor the minds of others—we lead better." - Winnie da Silva

What if everything you’ve been told about ADHD only told half the story? What if the very traits that make it hard for you to stay on task could also be the ones that make you an incredible leader? In this opening episode of my ADHD and leadership series, I’m diving into what ADHD really is, how it shows up in the workplace, and why understanding it matters for every leader - whether you have ADHD yourself, work with someone who does, or just want to create a team culture where different kinds of brains can thrive. I’ll also share a fictional but very real-to-life story of “Martina,” a leader whose career shifted the moment she stopped forcing herself to work against her brain and learned how to work with it.

You’ll hear me discuss:

• What ADHD actually is (and isn’t), including how it affects brain chemistry and structure
• Why ADHD looks different in adults - especially in women - and why it’s often underdiagnosed
• The challenges ADHD can bring at work, from time blindness to emotional swings
• Surprising strengths many people with ADHD have, including creativity, adaptability, and hyperfocus
• Practical strategies to make work more ADHD-friendly, like body doubling, time blocking, and simplifying decisions
• How environment, support, and self-awareness can turn ADHD traits into leadership assets
• The fictional story of Martina, a leader who transformed her performance by building systems around her brain instead of trying to change it
• Why honoring how your mind works - and the minds of others - can make you a more effective and inclusive leader

Resources

Winnie da Silva on LinkedIn | On the Web | Substack | Email - [email protected]

Articles Referenced

Understanding ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

6 strengths and benefits of ADHD

ADHD in Adults: An Overview

24 ADHD Statistics for 2024

The Executive’s Guide to ADHD: Tools for Enhanced Focus and Decision-Making in the Corporate World

Leading with ADHD: A Practical Blueprint for Sustainable Success

The Adult Hyperfocus and Motivation Scale: A Pilot Study

https://totallyadd.com/wp-content/uploads/White_Shah_ADHDCreativity_PAID.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Uninhibited imaginations: Creativity in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Hyperfocus: The Forgotten Frontier of Attention

Living "in the zone": hyperfocus in adult ADHD

What Are the Benefits of Having ADHD?

The unique contribution of emotional impulsiveness to impairment in major life activities in hyperactive children as adults

Understanding Hypersensitivity in ADHD