Let me tell you about the day I almost quit my job over a three-word Slack message.
“We need to catch-up?”
My manager meant it innocently. But my ADHD brain? It launched into full threat mode. Heart pounding, palms sweating, I spent the next 45 minutes:
- Rewriting my resume in my head
- Replaying every mistake I’d made that month
- Drafting apology emails for crimes I hadn’t committed
Turns out? She just wanted to congratulate me on a client’s positive feedback.
This wasn’t sensitivity. This was *neuro-divergent reality" and it’s why I now help organisations fix what I call "Ambiguity Tax."
Why Neuro-divergent Brains Pay Extra
After my late ADHD diagnosis at 35 I realized:
Most workplaces run on vague communication and neuro-divergent professionals pay the price.
We’re not being difficult when we:
- Freeze at “Let’s circle back later”
- Overprepare for “quick chats”
- Misread tone in emails
We’re navigating systems designed for linear thinkers in a world where 20% of high-potential employees are neuro-divergent.
What I Teach Teams (Because Trial-and-Error Cost Me Years)
1. The “Why” Before the “When"
Instead of:
Can we talk at 3?
Try:
Can we chat at 3? I’d love your input on the UX redesign—no prep needed!
Why it works: My ADHD clients report a 70% drop in anxiety when context is provided upfront.
2. Replace “Feedback” With “Future-building”
The word “feedback” triggers rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) in many neuro-divergent pros. I coach leaders to frame it as:
“Here’s what’s working + where we can grow”
Real impact: A tech client saw a 40% increase in neuro-divergent employees volunteering for side projects after this shift.
3. Normalize “Pause & Process"
I teach teams to add this to meeting invites:
Need time to reflect? Feel free to Slack thoughts afterward.
ADHD brains often articulate ideas better after initial processing time.
This Isn’t Coddling—It’s Competitive Advantage
Teams see measurable results:
- Faster conflict resolution
- More innovative solutions from neuro-divergent staff
- Reduction in “miscommunication” escalations
Why? Because clarity is the ultimate performance enhancer for everyone.
Let’s Build Teams Where Everyone Feels Worthy
If you’re ready to:
- Transform vague meetings into idea incubators
- Stop losing neuro-divergent talent to avoidable anxiety
- Harness the creativity your “over thinkers” have been hiding
Let’s talk. - clodagh@growitgroup.com