In my last blog entry I wrote about making the decision of whether to disclose to your boss and/or colleagues that you have ADHD. In this article, I am looking at an alternative to disclosing. Of course, you may apply these suggestions to disclosing to anyone, such as teachers/professors, friends and extended family members.
Rather than disclosing, you may be able to have a conversation in order to accomplish any or all of the following objectives:
- create a better environment for yourself
- enhance your relationships
- be a team player
- advance your standing in school or career
- give the impression of being skilled in school or in your job
Delivering The Message
The key factor is the manner in which the message is delivered. When deciding how to deliver the message, consideration needs to be given to both what feels authentic to you and to your perception of how the person may receive the message.
For example, interruptions or noise may hinder your ability to be effective at work. You may begin the conversation with: “
“When doing XYZ, I am able to produce better work and more quickly when I do not have interruptions.”
You may ask for one of the following in order to create a more effective work environment:
- Is it possible to move to XYZ office?
- When I need to do XYZ, is there a quieter space that I could use?
- Would it be possible for people to use headphones when listening to their radio?
- May I work at home occasionally in order to have uninterrupted time?
- I would like to put a sign on my door for 1-2 hours a day asking for no interruptions. What do you think?
- Could I change my hours a couple days a week to come in later and stay later in the evening when there are few people in the office.
Notice that in the above examples, the objective is about getting what you need so that you are in a position to produce your best work. Through this process of negotiating, you are able to create a win-win situation. Also, you do not need to mention that you have ADD, as the focus is your productivity.
ADDed Perspectives Bottom Line
Are you up for the conversation? Let me know how it goes.
If you need support in crafting your message, contact me for a complimentary Strategy Session.