Being successful in leadership with ADHD
I’m a Manager at an accounting firm and I have ADHD. I was recently promoted and while I’ve had success, I feel like I’m constantly fighting my brain.
My biggest struggles are:
Managing multiple deadlines and projects at once
Keeping track of follow-ups
Delegating without either micromanaging or forgetting about tasks entirely
Context switching between client work, team management, and administrative tasks
Feeling overwhelmed when timelines slip
Overthinking decisions and spending too much time planning instead of executing
What has helped me get this far is that I’m good with people, coaching staff, problem-solving, and handling crises. Ironically, my teams tend to perform well, but I often feel like I’m barely holding the system together behind the scenes.
For those of you who have ADHD and successfully manage teams:
What systems, habits, or tools have made the biggest difference?
How do you stay on top of deadlines without constantly feeling anxious?
What management tasks do you automate, delegate, or simplify?
What lessons do you wish you learned earlier in your leadership career?
I’m looking for practical advice from people who have actually figured this out, not generic productivity tips.
Thanks!