Saving Innovators: Another Look at ADHD

Think those with ADHD aren’t worth the stress? Think again. Those with ADHD have much to offer organizations, businesses, communities and society.

Rapid-fire thinkers diagnosed with ADHD can live full lives with less anxiety and be powerful contributors to their families, communities, and societies. I know this from my own life and the lives of so many others with the innovator brain (or ADHD) that I’ve helped along the way.

It’s no secret that those with ADHD can get on the nerves of others, but that doesn’t mean they should be shut down. They can be high performers with much to offer.

When innovators shut down

Shutting down is a term for a common occurrence among those who share this brain type. Have you ever noticed how someone can suddenly check out with no warning in the middle of a conversation? What about that person who doesn’t answer your emails or phone calls and avoids interacting with you without warning? These are some examples of shutting-down behavior.

This reaction is how those with ADHD protect themselves from further pain, feelings of incompetence, and thoughts of disappointing others. The person in shutting-down mode closes off further input from the outside world and lives in a safer inner world of his or her own creation. This focus away from the painful moment distracts people from the reality they perceive as failure. It can take many forms, ranging from spending endless hours online to the exclusion of everything else or playing video games in a way that blots out all input from outside to self. It may include self-medicating with alcohol, cocaine, painkillers, or opiates.

Helping innovators overcome

What if we helped innovative thinkers avoid a tendency to shut down? And helped them instead to work to understand and overcome their unwanted patterns of behavior? What solutions to the many problems around us might we have as a result of encouraging innovative thinkers to stand up for themselves? Rapid-fire thinkers are gifted and want to change the world. Einstein, Edison, Mozart, daVinci, Gates, Jobs—all could be annoying and were known to have issues with communication and relationships. But should they have been silenced?

There are many personalities, historical and contemporary, with the innovator gene. They have made significant contributions. These individuals used nonlinear thought processes, employing their intuition and intellects. Unfortunately, many problem solvers do not either know they are or want to disclose they are innovators because of the stigma they feel society will apply to them.

Innovator support systems

With the right support from ADHD coaches, innovators can learn to modify their behaviors and become happy, productive contributors.  It’s past time for us to step forward, take action and make this a reality. Please support the innovators among you. Your future depends on it.

Learn more about the innovator brain in my book, “Your Innovator Brain – The Truth About ADHD.”