ADHD-ish with Diann Wingert
Episode: ADHD & Justice Sensitivity: From Overwhelm to Advantage in Business
Date: June 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Diann Wingert explores the intersection of ADHD and justice sensitivity, focusing on how business owners and entrepreneurs with ADHD can harness their heightened sense of fairness and righteous anger as a guiding force in their businesses, rather than letting it become a source of chronic overwhelm or burnout. The episode is rich with psychological insights, practical strategies, and empowering reframes for neurodivergent professionals.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding Justice Sensitivity & ADHD (00:01)

• Definition: Justice sensitivity is a measurable psychological trait—not just being “overly emotional.” People high in this trait are quick to notice unfairness, power imbalances, and moral inconsistencies, even when not directly affected.
• The ADHD Connection:
  • Emotional dysregulation heightens reactions to injustice: “When we see something unfair, we don’t just think, ‘Oh, that's not right.’ We feel it in our entire body.” (03:05)
  • All-or-nothing thinking and rejection sensitivity further amplify the experience.

2. Why Justice Sensitivity is Amplified in ADHD (04:00)

• Neurobiological Factors:
  • ADHD brains are “wired for intensity”—high emotional arousal, less gray area in assessing right and wrong.
  • Comparison: “Like the proverbial canary in the coal mine, we’re more sensitive to our environment and everything in it.” (02:30)
  • Our smoke detector is “calibrated to go off at the first whiff of trouble,” while neurotypicals might need a “full-blown fire.” (03:00)
• Practical Outcomes: People with ADHD are more likely to act on perceived injustices, even at personal cost.

3. Justice Sensitivity as a Business Asset (07:00)

• Authentic Branding: “Your brand messaging is going to be authentic because your passion for fairness translates into genuine content people can feel.” (08:15)
• Innovative Thinking: Sensitivity to injustice sparks creativity for better solutions and business ideas.
• Community Building: “People are drawn to businesses that stand for something meaningful.” (09:00)

4. Vulnerabilities of High Justice Sensitivity (09:15)

• Decision Paralysis: Every choice can become a “moral referendum,” leading to second-guessing and inaction.
• Strain in Relationships: Fixation on clients’ misaligned values can distract and disrupt focus.
• Burnout Risk: “Constantly processing societal injustices while trying to run a business is freaking exhausting.” (11:40)
• Boundary Challenges: Tendency to “take on everybody else’s fights” can derail business priorities.

5. Navigating Current Social Climate (14:00)

• Recognition that systemic injustice and regression of rights (especially in the U.S.) are real and legitimately triggering for ADHD brains.
• “Your nervous system doesn’t distinguish between a saber-toothed tiger and systemic oppression, and neither does mine. Threat is threat and an ADHD brain will react accordingly.” (15:35)

Diann’s Three-Part Framework for Managing Justice Sensitivity

1. Audit Your Outrage (18:20)

• Be selective—ask:
  • Is this aligned with my core mission?
  • Do I have the expertise to contribute?
  • Will it serve my ideal clients or just exhaust me?
• “If we try to fight every frickin fight, we'll be effective at none of them.” (18:50)

2. Channel the Fire (20:40)

• Move from venting to productive action:
  • Turn frustration into educational content.
  • Develop services/partnerships addressing systemic problems.
  • Model change through your business practices.
• Example: On pay inequality—become transparent about pricing; on accessibility—prioritize it in your own offerings.

3. Protect Your Resources (22:15)

• Set Boundaries: “Set designated outrage hours versus business focus time. Seriously? I'm not kidding.” (23:10)
• Control media intake to prevent nervous system overload.
• Write down criteria for cause involvement and keep it visible.

Justice Sensitivity as a Strategic Advantage

• Compass, Not a Map: “It should inform your direction, but not dictate every single turn you make. Like a GPS, use it to define your lane.” (25:20)
• Find Your Niche: Don’t fight all injustices—use your values to define your specialty.
• Attract Values-Aligned Clients: “Clients who share your values will pay premium prices to work with someone who truly gets it.” (26:40)
• Business Differentiation: “Your justice sensitivity gives you an edge and a perspective that your competitors probably don’t have. And if they do, they're not talking about it.” (28:00)
• Service & Content Opportunities: Workshops on value-based decision making, consulting for inclusion, industry advocacy.
• Sustainable Impact: Models for creating profit with principles—sliding scales, donating proceeds, values-driven partnerships.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “We don’t do anything halfway, including our sense of right and wrong. Or in my snarky way… it's either full ass or no ass.” (02:10)
• “Feeling overwhelmed by injustice doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human.” (16:12)
• “It’s about being strategic with our outrage.” (18:52)
• “You don't have to save the world to run a successful business. Let me repeat that… You don't have to save the world to run a successful business. But if injustice makes your ADHD brain go haywire, and it probably will, ignoring it is not sustainable either.” (34:20)
• “Your justice sensitivity isn't a bug in your ADHD operating system, it's a feature. But like any powerful tool, it needs to be wielded with intention.” (36:10)

Action Steps & Takeaways (36:30)

1. Name it to tame it: Recognize when your justice sensitivity is driving vs. normal business mode.
2. Pick your battles: Get specific about which causes align with your mission and expertise.
3. Use it as fuel: Let fairness inspire your practices and strategy, rather than distract you.
4. Set boundaries: Protect your capacity for the fights that truly matter.
5. Find your tribe: “Connect with other values driven entrepreneurs who understand what it’s like to care this much. You are not alone in this.”

Final Thoughts

Diann closes with an empowering call to build sustainable businesses centered on fairness—not by trying to save the world at your own expense, but by making a meaningful, focused impact and forming communities with others who share your values.

Resources Mentioned:

• ADHD Girls organization: for those especially concerned with gender disparities in ADHD identification and treatment.

For More: See show notes for links and ways to get involved.

Summary prepared for ADHD-ish listeners, entrepreneurs, and neurodivergents eager to turn their unique perspectives into business strengths.