Bain & Company Any MBB Managers and Associate Partners? Curious to know if it's actually possible to make it to a very senior level in top-tier consulting with ADHD. What parts of ADHD were an obstacle and how did you overcome them to progress fast? McKinsey & Company Boston Consulting Group Bain & Company

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I’ll say this:

ADHD doesn’t disqualify you from anything. Millions of people have it. It’s not a death sentence for otherwise having a great, even exceptionally fantastic career.

Is it unfortunate we have it? Yes it is. But these are the cards we were dealt. The longer we spend denying this reality - trying to work like neurotypical people, avoiding medication and other proven treatments, thinking that we can’t do certain things or reach new levels - the more we prolong our success.

Disability, disorder, etc - call whatever, but recognize the real and present impact it has on your life. We are different than other people, and we have to do things different ways. But that DOES NOT, no matter what, disqualify or even limit us from anything.

Understand that in many circumstances, when most neurotypical people are taking the stairs, we may need to take the ramp. Would a person using a wheelchair attempt the stairs? No. So why should an ADHD person attempt a similar process when an alternative, more conducive route is available. The key is recognizing this route: it may be longer, less streamlined, and more complex. But it will get us to the same place.

I am not an MBB consultant nor high ranking. But I know the answer to the overcoming question you posed:

- all of ADHD will be an obstacle in anything you do
- when things seem hard, stop. Evaluate. Find your ramp. If none is to be found; build it yourself.
- above all else, be easy on yourself. Don’t compare with neurotypical or even other ADHD folks.
- and lastly, be yourself. Don’t be embarrassed or hide ADHD as a weakness. It’s not a superpower as some may say, but it also doesn’t hold you back.

Good luck, OP. Stay up and keep it real real. Find how you work and communicate best and you will find success. Just make sure the success is what truly makes you happy.

likeupliftinghelpful

I also think about all the very well-known people who have dyslexia. Sure, it makes life harder and you have to overcome more, but it doesn’t prohibit us from achieving wild things! We just have to find ways to work with our ADHD.

Are you 100% sure you have ADHD? There is a lot of overdiagnosis and overmedication. If you feel hopeless, look into Andrew Huberman’s work in how to increase focus and concentration and maybe it will help you

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Understood. Good luck my brother, I guess it won’t make it easier to work this job but I’m pretty sure it can be done

Neurofeedback was something that made a huge difference in my life. I hate being medicated, so I sought alternative options and that really resonated. I've had some great success and made tremendous strides, but obviously it's not for everyone. Something to consider, though.

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Neurofeedback?

Sr Partner here. I have diagnosed ADHD. I know of another Sr Partner with the same. They are on meds, I am not. I am sure there are more.

So the answer is yes.

And you need a lot of other things too - speed, agility, people skills, stubbornness, grit, luck.

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I feel I have the others luckily except for 1 thing: speed. The meds slow me down so it’s difficult to be aware of how fast I’m producing output.

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