Making the leap to a C-suite role is exhilarating, overwhelming, and a little nerve-wracking—especially when you have ADHD. I won’t sugarcoat it. Trying to move up the corporate ladder when you have ADHD forces you to confront challenges your colleagues might not face. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With the right strategies, a practical mindset, and a healthy dose of humor, you can thrive and bring your unique strengths to the table.

Lean Into Your ADHD Superpowers

Many of us with ADHD are creative problem-solvers and absolute champs at handling high-pressure situations. These traits often make an appearance when you least expect them, but don’t underestimate their value in leadership roles. Create systems to play to those strengths. I set flexible “focus sprints,” where I get work bursts in without micromanaging myself into burnout. Find what works best for you and lean into it—it’s all about turning chaos into productivity.

Create (and Protect) Your Routines

Structure is the lifeline you need most when juggling a million C-suite tasks. Establish a daily routine, even if it feels counter-intuitive because, you know, ADHD. Personally, my morning ritual keeps me grounded. I schedule time for my coffee (no emails allowed), a brain dump of ideas, and my agenda planning. These little rituals act like invisible guardrails. Spontaneity is fine, but routines give you the consistency to steer through leadership responsibilities with fewer meltdowns over missed deadlines.

Delegate Like a Pro (Even When It Feels Weird)

Delegating can feel like a leap of faith, but you’re going to need it. ADHD brains sometimes cling to doing everything ourselves—usually because we’re sure that no one else can execute the vision in our heads. But higher-level responsibilities require you to let go of the small stuff. Start small. Delegate one task, see how it turns out, and gradually build your delegation muscle. You’d be shocked how much brain space this frees up.

Filter the Advice That Actually Works for You

You will likely receive many practical tips as you move into your new C-level position, whether from friends or mentors, and these pieces of advice can really help. However, tips and tricks from neurotypical people may not translate once you’re in the job. That doesn’t mean their advice is bad—it just might need tweaking. Only you can filter out what sticks versus what feels like square-peg-round-hole advice. It’s OK to break “rules” and rewrite strategies to fit your brain.

Looking Up

Climbing your way up the corporate ladder when you have ADHD is never going to look like some picture-perfect management playbook. And that’s OK! You’re bringing your unique, brilliant mind to the C-suite table—a mind that’s often unrelenting in its creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance. Try new methods, mess up, laugh about it, and repeat. At the end of the day, your ADHD isn’t a limitation—it’s your edge.