How ADHD traits became my superpower in IT consultancy

Special thanks to Marie Frederikke Johannsen for helping me formulate my thoughts in to this blog post.

Before we start, let me qualify this: I don't have any kind of formal diagnosis of ADHD. I don't presume that I'm able to speak to the unique challenges that different people must be facing. I respect that the experiences each person faces may differ vastly from my own. But, being one of those people who often finds themselves checking all the boxes, having difficulty with sustained focus, high energy, constant need for stimulation, and a tendency to take on too much at once, I feel like I have a bit of personal insight into how these traits can actually serve as an asset in IT consultancy.

If you've spent time in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of IT consultancy, you've probably noticed how essential quick thinking, adaptability, and creativity are to thrive in this space. Some people might call these attributes "soft skills," but I like to think of them as survival tools. And for me, they're not just tools, but traits I relate to with an almost magnetic pull, qualities that just happen to align closely with characteristics commonly associated with ADHD.

Here’s how these “ADHD-like” tendencies have become my professional superpowers.

The power of hyperfocus

One of the perks of having an "ADHD mind," if I can call it that, is entering states of hyperfocus. Just think about being in a situation where one is so engrossed in finding a solution to a problem that everything else fades away. That's me, in the zone, often triggered by a new and intriguing problem or by tight deadlines-yes, I like being under pressure.

It took a long time to learn how to get hyperfocus on a task in front of me, especially if it is something I find boring or in other ways uninteresting and it sill something I struggle with every day.

A trick I learned to stay focused on boring and uninteresting tasks is breaking the task into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Instead of thinking about the overwhelming whole, I focus on just completing the next tiny step. This creates a sense of momentum, which often pulls me deeper into the work. This might sound like typical advice for staying focused, but what makes it work for me is turning it into a personal challenge. When I give myself a bite-sized task, I’ll say something like, "Emil, I bet you can’t finish this in five minutes", and suddenly, I’m motivated to prove myself wrong. Doing this with each of the bite-sized tasks make it kind like a game and suddenly I get pulled deeper into the work.

But this is a true blessing in the field of IT consultancy. Whether debugging a complicated piece of code or analyzing the client's IT infrastructure, with hyperfocus, I can dig in deep and engage problems that require a bit more than superficial attention. That is why, many times, I am able to find the solutions more quickly than I could if operating with a normal amount of focus. But that comes with a catch-knowledge of knowing when to pull myself out of hyperfocus is tough. Over time, I've found ways to manage this, setting reminders and using timers that help me stay on track.

High-Energy enthusiasm

In the long run, a thing or two that has become clear with my career in IT, when something has fired me up personally, I manage to easily catch everybody else into it, whether my clients or other staff. Indeed, folks demonstrating ADHD often give their jobs certain intensity and passion, so once sometimes overwhelming, serves as an impressive motivator toward many at regular times.

This high energy helps me keep momentum on projects that may otherwise feel daunting. Clients appreciate it too, who doesn’t want their consultant to be genuinely excited about finding solutions to their problems? The key, of course, is balancing that enthusiasm so it doesn’t come across as overwhelming, but as long as I’m aware, this energy can be a superpower.

Fast, Multitasking Mind

One of the most common ADHD traits people talk about is the challenge of juggling multiple tasks. While this can indeed be exhausting, I’ve found it to be a competitive edge in IT consultancy. With my brain constantly on the move, I can process information quickly and jump from one task to another with relative ease. If the average project requires a series of small but diverse tasks, project scoping, client communication, troubleshooting, documentation, I’m all over it.

Now, it does take some conscious effort to avoid burnout and ensure I’m prioritizing effectively, but when managed well, this multitasking mind means I can handle multiple client projects and responsibilities without getting bogged down in the details. Tools like task management apps and structured workflows have been lifesavers here, helping me stay organized amid the chaos.

Adaptability and Resilience

IT consultancy is a domain of uncertainty: clients' needs may change in a flash, the tech requirements may shift, and what worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. Adaptability is not a nice-to-have; rather, it is an absolute must-have skill. It is here that my ADHD-like tendencies to like change and adapt to new scenarios serve as enablers. Challenges that unnerve others often become catalysts for me to find quick, effective solutions.

This resilience also pertains to feedback, something you will face no matter what in a consultancy role. I have learned to take constructive criticism and move on with any adjustments that may be necessary. Each new challenge, each new shift in direction, represents an opportunity for growth and refinement of my skills. Adaptability is perhaps my biggest asset, brought on by the natural inclination of my brain toward flexibility.

Acknowledge the challenges, embrace the superpower

I wouldn't want to be mistaken for idealizing ADHD or minimizing the legitimate difficulties that others experience. I am aware, of course, that without a clinical diagnosis, these traits may not manifest for me in the same way as in someone who does have ADHD. There are authentic difficulties related to ADHD, and they can be very personal and sometimes painful. But what has empowered me is identifying with these tendencies. It's allowed me to lean into the strengths of my "different" brain, rather than try to fit into a neurotypical mold.

Finally, ADHD traits within the setting of an IT consultancy do offer some unique advantages: creativity, flexibility, energy, and hyperfocus are only a few among many. So to all those out there who feel that their mind is wired a little differently, I encourage you to explore how you can channel these qualities as strengths rather than seeing them as barriers. Embracing these as superpowers, particularly in a world where problems get solved quicker and thinking is innovatively sought after, may just be more than liberating; it can be transformative.