Related Posts
Does EY’s vision plan not cover eye exams?
Conversation Starter
How many times a week do you hit the gym?
More Posts
Anyone need a referral to EY happy to help
Hi All,
How much can I expect in hand per month
Additional Posts in ADHD Professionals
Conversation Starter
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Continued context: I never had trouble in school (except for talking too much). I never perceived that I had a social awkwardness but I did always have trouble with social cliques and never really figured those out. I’m so tired of trying to dissect what’s wrong with me. The life long cycle of trying to change towards others’ expectations, failing, making peace with who I am and refusing to change, experiencing the consequence of being myself, trying to change (etc etc). How have you made peace with the limitations and/or found careers where adhd isn’t a hindrance?
Thanks. Solid logic. I get it. I don’t spend all my time feeling sorry for myself (I swear!) I just have those moments.
But I’ve spent a lifetime on that puzzle and I’ve simply run out of ideas. I may have just chosen a career path that was all wrong for me. (Technically I’m awesome at it and I’m the person they should want running it all. In addition I’ve been told I’m a very empathetic and supportive manager) But the truth is that the job is the opposite of what it says on paper. The ethical compromises expected (tie in to office politics) are just not within the capabilities of my core. Even though I mange that as cautiously as I’ve learned how, I always end up labeled. (Isn’t the strong sense of right/wrong also an adhd trait?)
So, I really am seeking out if many adhders make their way up to senior leadership in corporate settings … I’m wondering if it’s a hindrance for others
Pro
36yo w ADHD and have made Executive Director. It made the lower rungs harder but now I feel makes me better at my job connecting dots others don't see and being able to toggle from 30,000ft to 3ft and back within the same thought
Pro
The role would be done by someone else if not me so I do the best i can and rest easy things are done as ethically as I can and more ethically than others might. You also don't really have to compromise much, you can just act ethically. Only one employer of mine had an issue with that and I just quit immediately
There will always be someone taller, stronger, and richer than each of us. Hell, a certain jerk from my high school became an exec and now lives in a $6M house. Back then he dangled the skin of a dissection cat from the classroom window. Worry about yourself, and remember that workplace unfairness is SOP.
Take a good look -- if you truly feel that your diversity is responsible, have you taken any steps? Accomodations, meds, therapy, strategies? Are you in the right field?
Zooming in on yourself, are you successful? Don't measure yourself by others. Measure yourself by yourself.
Thanks. I have taken steps. Yes. But the diagnosis is very new and I’m still learning more about it as it relates to me….when I can find time. Medication helps a lot with tasks and organizing my thoughts at peak effectiveness hours. (Clinician indicated combined presentation rarely responds to medless therapies) But I never really had complaints about my work or work ethic. It was always nitpicky communication style stuff. Nothing serious. And my own observations that I never could break into the “in” crowd. So, I suspect the social challenges (possibly) associated with the adhd are more to blame (besides my pesky ethics). And it’s really just a social x-factor I can’t put my finger on. (Certainly have tried my whole life to ID it…but to no avail).
Now with a diagnosis I’m trying to figure out if certain things are related to adhd SO THAT I can research if there’s some sort of solution or strategy. That’s why I’m asking if there are any adhd glass ceiling trends in this forum. 😀
You are right that comparing is a bad habit. I am respected in my field and by my coworkers, make good money, have a good life. I’m frustrated at work some because my sphere of influence is smaller than my capability/experience. Yet I can’t get that next level. And it’s weird when I see a job posted by someone that used to be my peer (and younger than me) and is now levels beyond. I’m risking the point where I can’t get hired at my current level due to ageism, where hiring managers feel weird about hiring someone older than them. And that worries me too.
I worked with a coach when I was stuck and couldn’t find a way out - there are ADHD coaches who might be helpful
Awe I’m so sorry to hear you’re feeling this way. Have you ever worked with a career coach?
Thanks. No. I haven’t really. I’ll admit that I’m pretty skeptical of that. What are their qualifications and wouldn’t that be a little bizarre at my age?! Have you and did it help? Where did you find someone?
If it’s any consolation, I’ve hit my ceiling in my career as a lead analyst. Being a manager in my line of work doesn’t allow me the flexibility or the work/life balance I need in order to function as a human being.
I’m 53.
That being said, I’ve made my peace with it and making sure that my life isn’t just defined by my profession. I pursue my interests outside of work, I’m an activist, especially after the results of Tuesday’s election, and I make sure that I’m a loving friend and a doting aunt.
As long as you have the money to pay the bills, enjoy yourself and put money away for a rainy day, it may be wise to just let it go, and just do things at your pace or explore other avenues to enjoy your life and live richly.
Good luck!
I was head of finance, now a step below at a much larger org. So, totally possible.
Rising Star
Have you considered that you’re in the wrong role or at the wrong company? Some companies value out of the box thinking and some don’t. I would take a step back and think of the things you’re really good at, then take a step back and think about the skills of your colleagues to determine if there is something they have that you lack - perhaps that’s something the company values that you don’t have. I say this not to hurt your feelings but to say, maybe you’d be better served at a company that values all of your skills and strengths.
Without more context of your role, it’s hard to say what iterations of your role exist so I’ll use my career as an example. I work in asset management for commercial real estate properties, the role is a weird mix of qualitative and quantitative but different firms place emphasis. Big companies tend to be more quant-forward, but I’ve worked at both and determined where my interests and skills are best suited. I now know what types of things to look for in job descriptions and what type of questions to ask in interviews to make sure future roles are aligned with me and my skills/interests. Admittedly, this took some trial and error and I’m earlier in my career, but I think you could get to the same spot with critical thinking.
I read this book in college called “what color is your parachute?” And it’s about career path but also about identifying strengths. Maybe skim it at your local library before you buy a copy but I remember it being helpful. I’m not aware of any career books that are more catered to ADHD folks but I’m sure they exist.
Sorry to hear you’re feeling discouraged, but believe in yourself and if something feels off it probably is. You deserve to work somewhere that values you!
Yes. I’ve concluded I’m in the wrong career/environment for my personality regardless of my strong capabilities. I’ve worked at many companies. I’ve tried multiple times, optimistically, to find better matching culture. It’s too complex to explain and stay anonymous. I am stuck at my level and I do perfectly fine…nothing to be ashamed of the role or my contributions. I’ve been able to develop many engineers to surpass me. And many peers also.
Based on responses so far, maybe it’s not the adhd to blame. Just wondered.
I understand completely. Im 54 (I look a lot younger) and completing my bachlors in 2025. We get a lot of interns who get hired making leaps and bounds above me. Talk about feeling low. I had to decide to stop looking at younger hires who are above me and thinking im not enough. NOT EASY! I moved up the chain without a degree but pay was significantly lower. I kept putting myself out there not worring about younger people passing me up. I knew that its just a title and pay scales are now based on tiers.
Its hard to not let this bother us. Our ADHD is not holding us back, well me. Im just putting my talent out there more. We have the experience, and qualified in many areas of our jobs.
ADHD can play a role, but I'm not certain it's because they're better office politicians. It can be because even if you work harder, they may be better communicators. And that is a huge key especially if you work in an industry that focuses on client retention and not just hone in on your computer all day