Leading with ADHD: Why your neurodiversity is both a challenge and a gift

And five strategies for harnessing your unique power

(I write at length about many of the ideas below in my new book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age,” out now. Order now and get enrolled for free in Firestarter University, a year-long, online course starting in the Fall.)

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During the last month, I've been on a tour for my new bestselling book, “Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age”, and by far the most common question I'm getting is: "What advice do you have for women who want to be leaders but who have ADHD?"

I love this question—it gives me all the feels, from validation to comfort to empathy. As someone diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) when I was 14-years-old in 1985 after I began failing classes in middle school, growing up I always felt oddly alone in my neurodiversity. That's because back in the 1970s and 1980s, Gen X girls with ADHD were rarely diagnosed or treated. In fact, 40 years ago, the ratio of ADHD diagnosed boys to girls was less than 10 to 1.

Boys with ADHD were considered hyperactive, a natural extension of their boy-like behavior, while girls with ADHD were seen as obnoxious or misbehaved, the opposite of what it means to be a "good girl." Instead of giving girls like me the tools we needed to navigate the system—namely the educational system—we were forced to conform to a society that wasn't built for us. When we failed to fit in, we were punished. As a result, many of us never received the medical care we needed and deserved, and ended up internalizing our ADHD symptoms as personal, shameful flaws.

I managed—barely—to get through high school and college, but my impulsivity, absent-mindedness, and lack of executive function weren't exactly behaviors others equated with leadership. In our patriarchal and capitalistic society, we’re led to believe that (mostly male) leaders are always calm, methodical, and in control. They're single-minded and strategic. They follow five-year plans and never get distracted or go off-course. But what I've learned over the last several decades is that's actually not how real growth—personally, politically, or professionally—happens.

From Introvert to Activist: My ADHD Advantage

When I founded Moms Demand Action in 2012, I was an introvert struggling with severe ADHD and a debilitating fear of public speaking. I knew little to nothing about politics, organizing, or gun violence. Not exactly the description of someone people would point to and say, "That woman over there. She should take on the most powerful, wealthy special interest that's ever existed." And yet that's exactly what happened. And it turned out that this neurodiverse, reserved, middle-aged woman was exactly the right person for the job.

One of the biggest challenges I faced while building Moms Demand Action wasn't managing my ADHD—it was unlearning the shame I carried about it. For years, I'd been told that my tendency to interrupt, my rapid-fire thinking, and my impatience with bureaucracy were character flaws. But when I started organizing mothers across the country, those traits became essential tools. My impatience meant I wouldn't accept "that's just how things are done" as an answer. My tendency to think out loud helped me process complex problems in real-time with my team. My hyperfocus enabled me to work 18-hour days when we were trying to pass critical gun safety legislation.

Women with ADHD are often told that our differences are liabilities. We're labeled as "too much," "too scattered," or "too emotional." But these very traits—intensity, creativity, emotional depth—are the fuel for movements, innovation, and change. That's because strategy, creativity, and good governance require the kind of thinking that ADHD brains do naturally: connecting seemingly unrelated dots, pivoting quickly when strategies aren't working, and going deep on topics we're passionate about.

What building the largest gun violence prevention organization in the nation taught me was that ADHD isn't a limitation, but an incredible leadership advantage that can turn an average leader into a gifted one. It's not a barrier to leadership, but an unlock: because our brains are connected to a different operating system that encourages divergent thinking, we see connections others miss—and that is the root of innovation, whether you're organizing a grassroots campaign, running a business, or leading a classroom.

It’s estimated that in the US, around 11.3 million adults have ADHD, and about 38 percent of those are women. Did you know that award-winning TV journalist Lisa Ling received an ADHD diagnosis at age 40 while reporting on the condition's increasing prevalence? Reflecting on her career, she now believes her lifelong attention challenges actually contributed to shaping her success in media. Actress Michelle Rodriguez has openly discussed her ADHD diagnosis and the academic struggles she faced in high school and beyond, despite achieving remarkable success in her acting career. Solange Knowles (Beyoncé’s sister), who began writing songs at age 9 and has established herself as a singer in her own right, was diagnosed with ADHD and has become a passionate advocate for addressing racial disparities in diagnosis and treatment. And Olympic gymnast Simone Biles has also spoken candidly about how her ADHD diagnosis has influenced her approach to excellence and perseverance in competition.

The Hidden Pattern: Gen X Women and Late Diagnosis

Last year, while interviewing dozens of women for "Fired Up," I noticed an interesting pattern emerge: over and over again, women told me—unprompted—that they'd either been diagnosed with ADHD, or they believe they have it. In total, over a quarter of the Gen X women interviewed, from all different backgrounds and different parts of the country, attributed their struggles in school, their distraction and disorganization, and their inability to pay attention to things they’re not passionate about to ADHD. But many of these women have also come to view ADHD, once the bane of their existence, as the secret sauce to their uniqueness and success as adults.

Some of these women didn't receive an accurate diagnosis of ADHD until later in life. And just as they began to wrap their arms around having ADHD, the hormonal changes from menopause worsened their symptoms. In fact, many women after age 50 with ADHD report feeling more overwhelmed, inadequate, misunderstood, and distressed than ever—and at a time in their lives when they often have the greatest demands on their energy. Over 80 percent of women interviewed recently said they experienced at least some of their ADHD symptoms for the first time during perimenopause and menopause.

But that doesn't mean you can't be a leader, or that it's too late to even try. The key to leading with ADHD is understanding that you don't need to manage your brain like a neurotypical person—you just need to learn how to build systems that work with your brain, not against it.

Five Strategies for Leading with ADHD

1. See Your "Weaknesses" as Strengths

More than ever, the world needs leaders who are willing to be different. Our struggles with focus can become strengths when we hyperfocus on what matters most. Our impulsivity can be a source of bold action. Our emotional intensity can fuel empathy and advocacy. The key is not to suppress these traits, but to channel them intentionally.

For example, during the early days of Moms Demand Action, I often felt overwhelmed by the scale of the problem. My ADHD made it hard to stick to a single plan. But it also allowed me to pivot quickly, seize opportunities, and respond to crises with creativity and urgency. Where others saw chaos, I saw possibility.

2. Turn Your Hyperfocus into a Strategic Weapon

When something matters deeply to you, your ADHD brain can sustain attention and energy in ways that seem almost superhuman to others. The trick is learning to recognize when you're in hyperfocus and protecting that state. I learned to block out entire days when I was working on critical campaigns, turning off my phone and avoiding meetings that would break my concentration. During these deep work sessions, I could accomplish what might take others weeks.

But hyperfocus only works when you're passionate about what you're doing. This is why mission-driven leadership is so natural for people with ADHD. We can't fake enthusiasm, and we can't sustain effort on things that don't genuinely matter to us. This authenticity becomes magnetic to others. People can sense when a leader truly believes in their cause, and they want to be part of something real.

3. Recognize That Your "Distractibility" Is Pattern Recognition

What looks like getting off-topic to others is often your brain making connections that linear thinkers miss. Your brain likely makes connections quickly and jumps between ideas in ways that create compelling narratives. You probably have a natural ability to see the emotional core of issues and communicate that to others. But you also need to slow down sometimes and make sure others can follow your thinking. I learned to pause and ask, "Does this make sense?" or "Are you with me?" to keep my team engaged rather than overwhelmed.

The impulsivity that often comes with ADHD can be channeled into decisive action. While others are still debating, you're already moving. This can be incredibly valuable in advocacy work where windows of opportunity open and close quickly. After the mass shooting in Newtown, I didn't spend weeks planning the perfect organization—I started a Facebook page that weekend and began organizing. That impulsive action created momentum that careful planning never could have achieved.

But impulsivity needs guardrails. I learned to implement a "24-hour rule" for major decisions and to always have trusted advisors who serve as my left-brain and help me think through any consequences I might miss in my enthusiasm. The goal isn't to eliminate your natural tendencies, but to create safety nets that let you operate authentically while minimizing risks.

4. Build a Team That Complements Your Strengths

I learned early on that I needed people who could handle the detailed follow-through that my brain struggles with. I'm great at starting initiatives and seeing the big picture, but I need team members who can create the systems and processes that turn ideas into sustainable programs. This isn't a weakness—it's strategic leadership.

Organization systems for ADHD leaders look different, too. Forget the color-coded calendars and detailed to-do lists that work for neurotypical people. Instead, find systems that work with your brain's natural rhythms. I use voice memos constantly because I think faster than I can type. I schedule my most important meetings for times when my brain is naturally most alert. I keep a "parking lot" document for all the ideas that pop into my head during focused work, so I don't lose them but also don't get derailed.

5. Find Your People

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is the importance of community. ADHD can be isolating, especially for women who have spent a lifetime feeling misunderstood. But when women come together—to share their stories, celebrate wins, and support one another through setbacks—we become stronger. I've seen firsthand how women with ADHD, when given the support and space to lead, become catalysts for change. Whether you’re working to pass gun safety laws, running for office, or starting a business, the unique perspectives of people with ADHD aren’t just valuable—they’re essential.

A Call to Action: Lead Anyway

More than ever, what the world needs are leaders who can think differently, act quickly, and sustain passion for causes that matter. Your ADHD brain doesn't make you less qualified to lead—it makes you exactly the kind of leader we need for the complex challenges we face. The key is learning to work with your brain, not against it, and building systems that amplify your natural strengths while supporting your areas of challenge.

Leadership is not about being perfect. It is about being present, persistent, and passionate. So stop trying to lead like everyone else and start leading like yourself. Because your visibility as a successful leader who thinks differently creates a virtuous circle by giving other women permission to embrace their own neurodiversity.

The world doesn't need more leaders who think the same way—it needs more leaders who think like you.

Join me on my book tour! Get more information and tickets at firedupbook.com

For women ready to stop living on autopilot and playing it small, Fired Up will show you how to shatter your self imposed limitations and unleash your potential so you can finally start living the life you’ve always wanted. Click to order.