Podcast Summary: Navigating Adult ADHD #139 — “Making It Safe to Be Different: Harnessing ADHD at Work with Callum McKirdy”
Main Theme:
This dynamic episode dives into how ADHDers can leverage their unique strengths, especially in the workplace, and how organizations, leaders, and colleagues can create safer, more effective spaces for neurodiversity. Host Xena Jones and guest Callum McKirdy, a speaker, author, and coach specializing in workplace dynamics, explore authenticity, playfulness, and the power of embracing difference both professionally and personally.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Meet Callum: Embracing the Playful, ADHD-Positive Approach
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Introduction & Connection:
- Xena describes her instant connection with Callum (“When you meet somebody… and you just hit it off, especially when it’s a fellow ADHDer…” [00:03]).
- Callum’s background: ADHD-positive, dyslexic, speaker, author, and facilitator focused on workplace dynamics ([00:54]).
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Defining “ADHD Positive”:
- Callum reclaims ADHD as a positive label, challenging perceptions that emphasize deficit and disorder ([35:38], [37:16]).
- “The benefits of having my ADHD brain far outweigh the negatives.” – Callum [37:16]
2. The Challenge—and Freedom—of Being Different
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Fitting In vs. Authenticity:
- Callum shares his late-in-life ADHD diagnosis at 44 and his struggle between wanting to both stand out and blend in ([08:04]).
- “All my life, all I wanted to do was just to fit in, just to not get noticed. But always the struggle of going, why aren’t I getting noticed?” – Callum [08:04]
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Curiosity as Core to ADHD:
- Both discuss how ADHDers are naturally curious—not just about the world but about themselves ([09:41]).
- “I always thought that was me going, ‘I don't know who I am.’ But actually what that is, is me being 100% me because I'm just eternally curious.” – Callum [09:41]
3. ADHD Traits & Superpowers: Noticing, Innovating, and Energy
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Dyslexia and ADHD Together:
- Callum recounts experiences of not being recognized as dyslexic in school, and moments of feeling “different”—a motif that continues into his adult working life ([10:52]-[16:11]).
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Inattention as Superpower:
- “My inattentiveness… is just huge and it’s frustrating, but I know that’s one of my superpowers because I can notice how people show up and people’s energy.” – Callum [16:11]
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Calling Out Difference Responsibly:
- Rather than “calling out” (in a negative sense), Callum addresses what he notices in others as a way to build connection and facilitate understanding ([17:39], [18:08]).
4. Practical Examples of Embracing Difference
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Tiny Pools Analogy:
- Xena gives the example of a business specializing in tiny pools as a metaphor for having a unique point of difference ([05:51]).
- Instead of appealing to everyone, focus on what makes you unique—this applies to both individuals and businesses ([06:31]).
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Absurdity Sells:
- Memorable and quirky features, like robots in hotels or beer in showers, make businesses stand out ([27:12]-[29:02]).
5. Creating Safety & Authenticity at Work
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Making It Safe to Be Different:
- Callum emphasizes the need for workplaces to move beyond “one size fits most” and to make it culturally normal to be different ([22:43], [43:15]).
- Safety comes from curiosity, open discussion, and noticing without judgment ([34:25]-[34:51]).
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Examples: Curiosity Conversations
- “If you’re the employee and your team leader is curious… let’s have a conversation.” – Xena [34:25]
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Routine, Playfulness, and Productivity:
- Both discuss the tension between routine (which can anchor ADHDers) and the need for flexibility and fun. Playfulness isn’t just permitted—it’s often the key to engagement and innovation ([51:28]-[55:39]).
- “If we can mix fun and work… then you’re far more productive. You’re engaged, satisfied, and happy.” – Callum [52:27]
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Fun Analogies (Laundry, Dishwashers):
- Team-building using everyday differences, like how people hang up washing or stack the dishwasher, can foster appreciation for individual preferences and open safe discussions about difference ([44:53]-[48:26]).
6. The Flexibility and Value of ADHD
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Medication: Fitting In vs. Creativity:
- Callum and Xena discuss ADHD medication’s role in “fitting in” to neurotypical work structures, but also note it can reduce creativity for some ([40:09]).
- “I’m very choosy on it because it does dumb down my creativity. My kids notice that.” – Callum [41:04]
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Reframing Professionalism:
- Callum and Xena critique traditional notions of “professionalism,” advocating for playful, personalized definitions that allow difference and authenticity ([53:15]).
7. Authenticity & Relationships
- Radically Authentic Workplaces:
- Authenticity isn’t about being friends with everyone; it’s about feeling safe to show up as yourself. That requires self-safety and a supportive environment ([58:52], [63:35]).
- “Authenticity requires two things: self safety… and the safety of our environment.” – Xena [63:35]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Authenticity and Fitting in:
- “I've always wanted to just fit in… but I wanted to stand out for the things that were me… I never quite understood what was me.” – Callum [08:04]
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On ADHD Superpowers:
- “I don't believe ADHD is a superpower but I do believe it affords us some quite extraordinary skills and abilities…” – Callum [16:11]
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On the Unique Contribution of Difference:
- “Where difference lies lies the ability to make a difference.” – Callum [22:43]
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On Workplace Culture:
- “Harnessing ADHD is cultural... It’s about having a better relationship [at work] where both are curious.” – Callum [31:15]
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On Playfulness at Work:
- “We can't be playful, we can't have fun at work because it's seen as being unproductive. And yet… the times that I had fun unlocked amazing productivity.” – Callum [52:27]
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On Professionalism:
- “I think professionalism and being adult is often an excuse in itself… The word… is a barrier to having fun in the workplace and embracing that.” – Xena [53:15]
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On Masking and Authenticity:
- “I've struggled a lot with that personally, but I've also not struggled to be authentic because I think it's easier to be myself than it is to hide and mask.” – Callum [59:03]
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Topic | Speaker | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|----------|-------------| | Instant connection & ADHD community | Xena | 00:03 | | Callum’s background and “ADHD positive” | Xena | 00:54; 35:38| | Fitting in vs. standing out | Callum | 08:04 | | ADHD = Eternal curiosity | Callum | 09:41 | | Dyslexia, ADHD, and school experiences | Callum | 10:52-16:11 | | “Tiny Pools” and niche strengths | Xena | 05:51-07:10 | | The bell curve & value on the edges | Callum | 22:43-25:07 | | Absurdity sells (innovation & quirkiness) | Xena | 27:12-29:02 | | Safety to be different at work | Callum | 34:25-37:16 | | Medication and creativity | Callum | 40:09-42:18 | | Fun analogies: laundry + dishwasher | Both | 44:53-48:07 | | Playfulness & redefining professionalism | Both | 51:15-55:39 | | Authenticity, masking & workplace culture | Both | 58:51-63:35 |
Final Thoughts
This conversation is a vibrant, candid exploration of living—and thriving—with ADHD, especially in work environments. Xena and Callum model deep acceptance of difference, self-reflection, and playful disruption of norms. The key message: ADHDers (and everyone) flourish when workplaces and relationships make it safe to be different. Curiosity, acceptance, and play are vital tools in building spaces where everyone brings their best.
Find Callum McKirdy:
Quote to Remember:
“Where difference lies lies the ability to make a difference.” – Callum McKirdy [22:43]
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