So you’re working with someone who has ADHD — maybe it’s a colleague, a freelancer, a client, or someone on your team.
And you’re thinking:
How do I actually support them without tiptoeing around or losing my own focus?
How do I get the work done when their style is nothing like mine?
Totally valid questions.
Here’s the thing — working with people with ADHD isn’t about fixing them. It’s about flexing your approach.
At PhilanthroPeak Coaching, we help ADHD entrepreneurs and creatives build businesses that don’t fall apart every time life gets messy.
That also means helping their teammates, collaborators, and partners understand how to actually work with them.
No fluff. No medical talk. Just practical, respectful systems that work.
Working With People With ADHD Means Ditching the One-Size-Fits-All
ADHD isn’t a productivity issue — it’s a difference in how the brain operates.
People with ADHD can be brilliant, fast, and hyper-focused one day… and completely scattered the next.
This isn’t laziness.
It’s executive function overload.
Here’s what you might see:
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Missed follow-ups despite clear instructions
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Obsessing over one task and ignoring others
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Procrastination until the last second
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Forgetting something you just talked about
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Overcommitting, then crashing
Most people try to manage this with more pressure or micro-control.
That just pushes the person into overwhelm.
What actually works?
Building systems that hold consistency — so the person doesn’t have to.
And that’s why working with people with ADHD starts with rethinking your own systems first.
Understand the ADHD Work Style First
If you’re working with people with ADHD, throw out the idea that “normal” equals better.
Here’s what’s real for many ADHD adults:
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Big-picture thinkers, but easily lost in the steps
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Need external structure to focus — not motivation
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Thrive when engaged, struggle when bored
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May talk fast, work fast, then hit a wall suddenly
This is not a character flaw.
It’s a different operating system.
If your project management tools, meeting styles, or workflows rely on “just remember” — they’re not going to work.
That’s why working with people with ADHD isn’t just about accommodation — it’s about co-creation.
Collaboration Gets Easier When You Get Clear
Working with people with ADHD becomes smoother when you lead with clarity, not control.
Here’s how to do that:
✅ Write It Down
Don’t rely on verbal instructions.
Use Slack, Trello, Notion, shared docs — make it visual and easy to revisit.
✅ Be Specific
Vague tasks kill momentum.
Say:
“Send the first draft by Thursday at 4pm.”
Not:
“Get it to me sometime this week.”
✅ Use Visual Systems
ADHD brains are visual.
Trello boards, Kanban columns, colour coding — all of it helps keep priorities front and centre.
✅ Ask, Don’t Assume
Some ADHD folks love detailed workflows.
Others get stuck in them.
Ask:
“What setup helps you stay on track?”
Then build around that.
This makes working with people with ADHD way less frustrating and way more productive.
Build ADHD-Friendly Workflows
You don’t need an entirely new system.
You just need to adjust what already exists.
Here’s what works when working with people with ADHD:
🔹 Use Templates
Remove the guesswork.
Start every project with a basic template — content briefs, outreach plans, onboarding checklists.
At PhilanthroPeak, our ADHDpreneur™ Method builds these into every part of your business.
🔹 Keep Priorities Visible
If everything feels important, nothing gets done.
Highlight the ONE thing they need to focus on.
Pin it. Bold it. Make it impossible to miss.
🔹 Match Tasks to Energy
Let ADHD folks batch high-focus work during peak energy times.
And let them handle admin or updates when they’re low-energy.
This is why we teach energy-matching workflows — so your brain doesn’t need to force itself into work it’s not ready for.
🔹 Accountability Without Shame
Instead of “Why isn’t this done?”, ask:
“What’s in the way — and how can we make it easier next time?”
That’s real support.
It’s Not About Making Them Fit Your System
When you’re working with people with ADHD, stop forcing them to fit your system.
Instead, co-create something that works for both of you.
If you’re managing them, it doesn’t mean giving special treatment — it means designing a process that supports results, not struggle.
That’s exactly what we help ADHD founders and their collaborators do inside the Automated ADHDpreneur™ Program.
What Makes a Great Ally When Working With People With ADHD?
You don’t need a psychology degree.
You just need curiosity, clarity, and consistency.
Here’s what ADHD allies do well:
🔸 Ditch Assumptions
They don’t equate missed deadlines with laziness.
They check in with respect and problem-solve together.
🔸 Celebrate Process Wins
Not just big milestones.
Sometimes showing up is the win.
🔸 Adjust the Environment
Instead of managing the person harder, they tweak the system.
They remove the friction — and the brilliance follows.
That’s why working with people with ADHD is as much about leadership as it is about systems.
ADHD-Inclusive Communication, Made Simple
Don’t ghost.
Don’t micromanage.
Here’s the balance:
✅ Use Loom
Record short videos instead of long messages.
Perfect for ADHD folks who tune out walls of text.
✅ Keep It Async
Don’t rely on real-time meetings.
Use shared docs, pre-recorded updates, and written check-ins.
✅ Make It Task-Based
Don’t just talk about progress — track it.
Use visible task boards with assigned steps and due dates.
Your Quick ADHD Collaboration Toolkit
Need a cheat sheet? Got you covered.
Tools:
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ClickUp, Trello, or Notion for visibility
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Slack for async convos
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Loom for visual communication
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Google Calendar with reminders and invites
Systems:
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Use templated task briefs
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Create one-page project overviews
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Pin weekly priorities
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Use due dates and start dates (not just deadlines)
Mindset:
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Ask what works, don’t assume
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Praise consistency, not perfection
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Be flexible with the “how” but clear on the “what”
This is what makes working with people with ADHD productive, not exhausting.
Working With People With ADHD Is a Strength — Not a Struggle
When you understand how ADHD brains work, you stop being frustrated — and start being amazed.
People with ADHD:
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Solve problems in creative ways
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See connections others miss
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Handle chaos with calm
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Move fast when focused
But without the right setup?
All that power gets blocked by friction.
Want to actually make collaboration work?
👉 Start here: Explore The Automated ADHDpreneur™ Method
This is where we help ADHD founders — and the people they work with — create systems that flex with real life.
💬 FAQs: Working With People With ADHD
Q: Should I lower expectations?
Nope.
Raise the support, not the pressure.
Q: What systems help most?
Any system that’s visible, simple, and repeatable.
ClickUp boards. Google Calendar. Templates.
Q: What if I have ADHD too?
Great!
You know the game.
Make structure mutual — not strict.
Q: Can ADHD people lead teams?
Absolutely.
With the right support, they thrive in leadership.
Final Thoughts: Structure Is the Support
Working with people with ADHD isn’t about sympathy.
It’s about systems.
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Set the environment up for clarity
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Use tools that reduce mental load
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Communicate with kindness and follow-through
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Build workflows that support inconsistency — not punish it
When you do that, ADHD stops being a problem…
And starts being a superpower.
👉 Ready to stop managing chaos and start building momentum?
We’ve got the framework.
You bring the brilliance.
