The Vulnerable Parts of ADHD with Kristen Carder (2/2) Nerd Journey: Career Advice for the Technology Professional
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- Careers
Welcome to episode 217 of the Nerd Journey Podcast [@NerdJourney]! We’re John White (@vJourneyman) and Nick Korte (@NetworkNerd_), two Pre-Sales Technical Engineers who are hoping to bring you the IT career advice that we wish we’d been given earlier in our careers. In today’s episode we share part 2 of a discussion with Kristen Carder, talking through ADHD from a leader’s perspective, behavioral trends in people with ADHD, the start of Kristen’s coaching career, and how she became a podcaster.
Original Recording Date: 02-06-2023
Kristen Carder is a complete ADHD nerd and says she is obsessed with ADHD and how it affects adults. Kristen has been studying ADHD for about 10 years and has worked exclusively with adults with ADHD for the last 4 years. If you missed part 1 of our discussion with Kristen, be sure to check out Episode 216.
Topics – The Leader’s Strengths and Weaknesses, Giving Time and Attention and Presence, Operating Manual for the Self, ADHD in Tech and the Challenge of Getting Help, Becoming a Coach, Developing Expertise, Curriculum Builder, Hosting a Podcast
4:36 – The Leader’s Strengths and Weaknesses
* Kristen says being in a leadership role with ADHD is going to take a hefty amount of self-awareness and self-acceptance if you intend to do it well and without burning yourself out.
* Leaders with ADHD may want to hide it and ensure no one finds out about the ADHD individual’s struggles with details, time management, and deadlines. What can often happen is a sense of guilt and shame in who the leader really is underneath everything.
* One of the ways Kristen combats this and encourages clients to combat it is make piece with who you are. While it sounds simple to say, Kristen believes this is the work of our lives. This starts with really understanding what your strengths and weaknesses are.
* If you can understand that you’re in the leadership role for a reason, it gives you perspective. Kristen uses herself as an example.
* It probably isn’t that she is amazing at managing her time.
* It’s probably that she’s very creative, she solves problems quickly, and she can do many things at one time.
* Knowing all your strengths helps you understand why a company is really paying you.
* Your weaknesses could be supported by someone in a different position, some kind of assistant, or some other form of accountability.
* Kristen recommends being willing to share your weaknesses even if you don’t want to share your ADHD diagnosis.
* Sharing your ADHD diagnosis is a different animal altogether. There is no obligation that you share that with anyone.
* If you are going to share the diagnosis, Kristen recommends understanding who you’re talking to – whether they are a safe person, whether they have a track record of being understanding or critical p/ dismissive, etc.
* Kristen has heard people say things like "everyone has ADHD now / everyone is on medication." Beware of people who make statements as it really shows you who you can and cannot share information with.
* There is a way to share your weaknesses and the things with which you struggle without revealing you have an ADHD diagnosis.
* Kristen is open about ADHD because it’s her life’s work.
* She recommends thinking about why you want to share the fact that you have A...
Welcome to episode 217 of the Nerd Journey Podcast [@NerdJourney]! We’re John White (@vJourneyman) and Nick Korte (@NetworkNerd_), two Pre-Sales Technical Engineers who are hoping to bring you the IT career advice that we wish we’d been given earlier in our careers. In today’s episode we share part 2 of a discussion with Kristen Carder, talking through ADHD from a leader’s perspective, behavioral trends in people with ADHD, the start of Kristen’s coaching career, and how she became a podcaster.
Original Recording Date: 02-06-2023
Kristen Carder is a complete ADHD nerd and says she is obsessed with ADHD and how it affects adults. Kristen has been studying ADHD for about 10 years and has worked exclusively with adults with ADHD for the last 4 years. If you missed part 1 of our discussion with Kristen, be sure to check out Episode 216.
Topics – The Leader’s Strengths and Weaknesses, Giving Time and Attention and Presence, Operating Manual for the Self, ADHD in Tech and the Challenge of Getting Help, Becoming a Coach, Developing Expertise, Curriculum Builder, Hosting a Podcast
4:36 – The Leader’s Strengths and Weaknesses
* Kristen says being in a leadership role with ADHD is going to take a hefty amount of self-awareness and self-acceptance if you intend to do it well and without burning yourself out.
* Leaders with ADHD may want to hide it and ensure no one finds out about the ADHD individual’s struggles with details, time management, and deadlines. What can often happen is a sense of guilt and shame in who the leader really is underneath everything.
* One of the ways Kristen combats this and encourages clients to combat it is make piece with who you are. While it sounds simple to say, Kristen believes this is the work of our lives. This starts with really understanding what your strengths and weaknesses are.
* If you can understand that you’re in the leadership role for a reason, it gives you perspective. Kristen uses herself as an example.
* It probably isn’t that she is amazing at managing her time.
* It’s probably that she’s very creative, she solves problems quickly, and she can do many things at one time.
* Knowing all your strengths helps you understand why a company is really paying you.
* Your weaknesses could be supported by someone in a different position, some kind of assistant, or some other form of accountability.
* Kristen recommends being willing to share your weaknesses even if you don’t want to share your ADHD diagnosis.
* Sharing your ADHD diagnosis is a different animal altogether. There is no obligation that you share that with anyone.
* If you are going to share the diagnosis, Kristen recommends understanding who you’re talking to – whether they are a safe person, whether they have a track record of being understanding or critical p/ dismissive, etc.
* Kristen has heard people say things like "everyone has ADHD now / everyone is on medication." Beware of people who make statements as it really shows you who you can and cannot share information with.
* There is a way to share your weaknesses and the things with which you struggle without revealing you have an ADHD diagnosis.
* Kristen is open about ADHD because it’s her life’s work.
* She recommends thinking about why you want to share the fact that you have A...