ADHD, AI, and the Myth of Hustle: Smarter Success Strategies with Skye Waterson

In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome my colleague and fellow neurodivergent leader, Skye Waterson! Skye is the founder of Unconventional Organisation, a global ADHD support service, and host of the ADHD Skills Lab podcast. We talk about her winding journey from academia and burnout to building a thriving coaching practice that helps professionals worldwide create focused, balanced lives with ADHD. Skye shares how her late ADHD diagnosis during her PhD changed everything—from how she works to how she supports others, including leaders and entrepreneurs navigating similar paths.

We dive into the latest research on ADHD, including how AI may play a surprising role in identifying ADHD through speech patterns, and what that means for the future of diagnostics. Skye also walks us through the tools and systems—like Notion AI and the prioritization filter—that help her clients go from overwhelmed to intentional and effective. Whether you’re a late-diagnosed adult, a business leader, or someone looking to better understand how ADHD impacts performance and communication, this episode will give you insight, validation, and practical strategies to take with you.

Skye Waterson is a former academic turned coach, podcast host, and founder of Unconventional Organisation, an international ADHD support service. After her surprise ADHD diagnosis during her PhD, she developed research-based strategies and wrote over 50 articles reaching 250,000+ readers. Invited to share her insights with the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, Skye has supported late-diagnosed professionals across various fields. As host of the ADHD Skills Lab podcast with over 100,000 downloads, she helps overwhelmed professionals create focused, balanced lives. Through her writing, speaking, and coaching, Skye has assisted thousands in understanding and managing their ADHD

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Skye introduces research exploring how AI may detect ADHD through voice patterns.
[0:56] – Welcoming Skye and a little behind-the-scenes on how this rescheduled episode finally happened.
[2:13] – Skye’s academic background and her "spiky profile" with dyscalculia and ADHD.
[4:18] – The surprising journey to her ADHD diagnosis during a PhD burnout.
[7:55] – How ADHD and masking impacted her personal and professional life.
[10:09] – The rise of AI in ADHD research and how it may change diagnostics.
[11:59] – ADHD in leadership: why your boss might have ADHD too.
[13:30] – Communication patterns and how AI might pre-diagnose ADHD through language use.
[15:26] – Brooke breaks down current diagnostic standards and methods.
[18:19] – The pros and cons of early detection and potential misdiagnosis using AI.
[20:43] – Why Notion AI is a game-changer for ADHD task management and prioritization.
[24:54] – Skye’s coaching philosophy: simplify, systematize, and focus on the 20% that matters.
[26:30] – Writing her book and balancing what to include vs. what needs coaching support
[31:18] – Where to follow Skye and her work (Instagram, Substack, podcast).
[32:00] – The one thing Skye wants every ADHD-er to hear: You’re already working hard—now work smarter.

Connect with Sky Waterson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unconventionalorganisation/ 

Website: https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/ 

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