No one ever told me that 'just listen better' doesn't really work for people with ADHD.
During meetings, I would nod along, but my mind was busy with other things:
- Practicing what I wanted to say next
- Worrying I might forget my point
Sometimes it got worse. I’d interrupt before the other person finished, thinking I knew the answer.
I never meant to be rude. My mind moved fast, filling in gaps and jumping to solutions before I’d fully heard the problem.
Sometimes I was right, sometimes not, but either way, the other person often felt ignored.
My clients describe the same patterns; sometimes they’ve received negative feedback from colleagues or managers.
Here’s what actually helps:
✏️ Write your idea down instead of holding onto it. This way, you can let it go and keep listening.
❓ Instead of jumping in with a solution, ask “How can I help?” or "Are you looking for feedback?”
⏸️ Pause and count to two in your head before you reply. It might feel awkward at first, but it really helps.
🪞 Practice acknowledging the speaker by summarizing what you heard. “OK, so what I’m hearing is… do I have that right?”
As professionals with ADHD, we often see solutions before others because of strong pattern recognition. With greater self-awareness, we can learn to take a beat and let others fully express themselves.
#ADHD #ADHDatWork #ActiveListening #Leadership #ADHDCoaching
