Eran, the CEO and co-founder of Ingredient Brothers, a natural ingredients importer, shares his experience of living with ADHD and provides tips on embracing ADHD quirks in the workplace. He discusses how letting anxieties and fears surrounding ADHD define and hinder us professionally is a major fallacy. Eran emphasizes the need to appreciate the humor in ADHD quirks and not let them impede our ability to build meaningful relationships and friendships at work.
He suggests recognizing that everyone’s mind works differently and that what distracts someone with ADHD may not distract another person. Eran identifies common culprits that often derail individuals with ADHD at work, including auditory and environmental distractions, work-related tasks that disrupt flow states, obsessive compulsiveness, and research rabbit holes. To improve focus and productivity, he recommends creating a personalized operational playbook to help manage ADHD quirks and stay on track.
Eran shares strategies that have worked well for him, such as getting organized, planning with intent, and leading with different work styles in mind. He also suggests implementing practices within a team environment, such as creating an accountability buddy system, utilizing an idea board, being flexible with roles according to strengths, and appointing a Head of People to navigate the nuances each team member brings to the table. These strategies aim to foster a more conducive work environment for individuals with ADHD.
Ultimately, Eran believes that living with ADHD can come with its fair share of embarrassment, but having a structured playbook can turn these quirks into something to laugh about and have fun with. By huddling up, gathering our thoughts, and hitting our to-do lists out of the park, individuals with ADHD can successfully navigate the workplace and embrace their unique strengths and challenges. Eran’s insights provide valuable guidance for individuals with ADHD and those looking to create a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
