What does it look like when people with ADHD thrive at work? How do they craft an environment, or a career, that plays to their strengths?As part of an ongoing research project, my college students and I have been interviewing dozens of adults with ADHD who are, in some way, thriving in their work lives.
We focused deliberately on thriving and not “success,” which often has connotations of accomplishments, fame, or tangible rewards.
Thriving has more to do with feeling valued in what you do, finding meaning in your contributions, and pursuing a trajectory toward optimal performance and engagement.We’ve interviewed individuals in many fields — professional sports, law enforcement, education, health professions, entrepreneurship, and more — and found at least one element that may be as important as treatment and environmental accommodation in determining whether an adult with ADHD will thrive.
It’s their ability to actively seek and/or construct their environment to better align with their needs, skills, and limitations.In some cases, the people we interviewed have chosen a discipline or occupation that aligns well with the characteristics of ADHD — jobs that reward creativity, problem-solving, or high energy.