"Whats wrong with me Daddy?" - ADHD and me

By Jonathan Hime, CEO of Equiida

When my daughter was seven years old, she asked me, with tears in her eyes, “What’s wrong with me Daddy?” She has dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. It was a major problem and constant frustration for her at school, and she still struggles as a teenager today. My response was simple, “Nothing is wrong with you sweetheart, you have a superpower.”

When people hear “ADHD,” they often picture a child bouncing off the walls or someone struggling to focus during a meeting as an adult. That’s the stereotype we’re often given. But for my daughter and me, ADHD is part of our story. It has shaped who we are today. For me, it’s influenced my leadership, my approach to relationships, and my ability to celebrate differences.

Early Years: Understanding Myself

Growing up, I was the kid who couldn’t concentrate. My mind was always racing, jumping from one idea to the next before the previous one even had a chance to fully form. Tasks that were simple for others, presented challenges for me, making school, university, and work difficult.

At the time, I didn’t have a name for it, but I knew I processed the world differently. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I was formally diagnosed with ADHD. By then, I had already accepted that my brain simply worked in its own unique way.

ADHD isn’t a roadblock—it’s just a different way of navigating life. Once I understood that, everything shifted. I began to embrace it as part of who I am, rather than something to hide or suppress. Something my daughter is still discovering.

Embracing the Chaos: How ADHD Powers My Leadership

A common misconception about ADHD is that it’s a weakness—a disorder that limits focus and success. But for me, the traits that come with ADHD have significantly enabled my leadership style.

My mind is constantly jumping between ideas allowing me to approach business problems creatively from multiple angles. Where others might see one path forward, I see ten possibilities. I can pivot quickly, adapt on the fly, and produce innovative solutions that others might overlook.

But here's the thing: this rapid-fire way of thinking only works with self-awareness. ADHD has forced me to develop skills in prioritisation and organisation—skills that have made me more effective. Just ask my wife—I’m always writing lists! I’ve disciplined myself to channel my energy into the right areas, resulting in improved efficiency, most of the time, not always!

ADHD has also shaped how I manage relationships. As a leader with ADHD, I deeply value generosity and empathy. I’m comfortable in varied social and professional dialogues, focusing on how people feel and encouraging creative freedom. I understand the importance of making space for all kinds of thinking— vital to building strong and lasting relationships.

The Struggles and What They’ve Taught Me

Living with ADHD is a challenge. Every week, someone recommends a new business book. While I do read broadly, I tend to favour books that are both practical and inspiring. Still, I often feel “dumb” compared to intellectuals and classic thinkers who consume countless texts. I’ve had to confront the fact that my scattered energy doesn’t always fit into the neat boxes that the business community often demands.

There have been moments of frustration—times when I felt like I was failing because I didn’t follow a typical path. Still, those experiences taught me resilience and the courage to take risks—traits that underpin entrepreneurial success for both me and those in my circle.

I’ve learned that leadership is not about achieving perfection. It’s about showing up authentically, understanding your strengths, and knowing when to ask for help. I’ve built a support system that complements my way of thinking—for instance, I delegate tasks requiring meticulous attention to detail to individuals who excel in those areas, acknowledging my own limitations.

ADHD as a Superpower: Leveraging Strengths

So, what I have learned from having ADHD is that it does not need to be something to overcome; rather, it is something to harness effectively.

In business, we often value traits like meticulous organisation and focus. But what about spontaneity, compassion, and the ability to engage with people? Or leaders who bring energy, honesty, and a fresh perspective to opportunities?

ADHD has helped push me to embrace my mindset, persistence, humour, and even my romantic side to drive change. My knack for identifying overlooked connections and tackling challenges with unconventional strategies has been a key strength in the fast-paced business landscape.

I can imagine it’s sometimes exhausting for my colleagues, friends, and family, but I’ve come to realize that what might seem like disadvantages are actually untapped strengths. All the 'superpowers' mentioned in this article are well-documented benefits of ADHD. (Source: ADDitude Magazine – 17 Things to Love About Your ADHD!)

Redefining Leadership and Embracing Difference

This late-life diagnosis doesn’t define me; it has simply influenced my role in business and society with a strong sense of awareness and fairness. I’ve finally started to view it not as a curse, but as a gift, allowing me to think outside the box in all areas of life. My daughter is still in the early stages of her journey, but I hope she’ll come to see it in the same light one day—especially if she chooses to become a leader in whatever career path she follows.

As business leaders and managers, we each offer distinct qualities, strengths, and challenges. It’s these differences that make us better leaders. Embracing difference—whether in our thinking, our actions, or our leadership style—opens the door to progress and growth.

So, if you’re a leader who feels like you don’t quite fit the conventional mould, I encourage you to leverage your unique strengths. You will discover that what was once perceived as a disadvantage is precisely what propels you toward success.