Transformative Leadership Conversations with Winnie da Silva ADHD and the Way You Lead with Winnie da Silva
"When we understand how our minds work—and honor the minds of others—we lead better." - Winnie da Silva
What if everything you’ve been told about ADHD only told half the story? What if the very traits that make it hard for you to stay on task could also be the ones that make you an incredible leader? In this opening episode of my ADHD and leadership series, I’m diving into what ADHD really is, how it shows up in the workplace, and why understanding it matters for every leader - whether you have ADHD yourself, work with someone who does, or just want to create a team culture where different kinds of brains can thrive. I’ll also share a fictional but very real-to-life story of “Martina,” a leader whose career shifted the moment she stopped forcing herself to work against her brain and learned how to work with it.
You’ll hear me discuss:
- What ADHD actually is (and isn’t), including how it affects brain chemistry and structure
- Why ADHD looks different in adults - especially in women - and why it’s often underdiagnosed
- The challenges ADHD can bring at work, from time blindness to emotional swings
- Surprising strengths many people with ADHD have, including creativity, adaptability, and hyperfocus
- Practical strategies to make work more ADHD-friendly, like body doubling, time blocking, and simplifying decisions
- How environment, support, and self-awareness can turn ADHD traits into leadership assets
- The fictional story of Martina, a leader who transformed her performance by building systems around her brain instead of trying to change it
- Why honoring how your mind works - and the minds of others - can make you a more effective and inclusive leader
Resources
Winnie da Silva on LinkedIn | On the Web | Substack | Email - winnie@winnifred.org
Articles Referenced
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
6 strengths and benefits of ADHD
The Executive’s Guide to ADHD: Tools for Enhanced Focus and Decision-Making in the Corporate World
Leading with ADHD: A Practical Blueprint for Sustainable Success
The Adult Hyperfocus and Motivation Scale: A Pilot Study
https://totallyadd.com/wp-content/uploads/White_Shah_ADHDCreativity_PAID.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Uninhibited imaginations: Creativity in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Hyperfocus: The Forgotten Frontier of Attention
Living "in the zone": hyperfocus in adult ADHD
What Are the Benefits of Having ADHD?
Understanding Hypersensitivity in ADHD