I'm not going to beat around the bush, managing other people while running a business is capital H Hard. Add ADHD into the mix, and it can feel like you’re trying to catch cats in a room full of laser beams (have you ever seen a cat react to a laser pointer…?!).
Whether you’ve got a team of employees or you’re working with freelancers, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind to make sure everything ticks along smoothly. Don’t worry, though - we’ve got some tricks up our sleeve to make managing others more ADHD-friendly.
A special note here: remember your brain is as unique as your fingerprint. So you might not struggle with this things. Or with all of these things all of the time. That doesn’t mean you don’t have ADHD, it just means your unique wiring looks a bit different to – well, to mine!
The ADHD leadership paradox
First off, let’s acknowledge the good and the tricky.
ADHD brings energy, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking. This is great when you’re brainstorming with your team or launching a new project. But then there’s the side we all know too well: difficulty with things like structure, time management, and delegating (unfortunately everything leading a team requires).
But here’s the thing: ADHD leaders often have great empathy, and the flexibility that comes with ADHD can be a huge advantage when managing others. The trick is finding systems that play to your strengths and bringing in some external help when needed.
Freelancers mean flexibility
The beauty of freelancers is that they offer flexibility, something we ADHDers thrive on. But this flexibility can also backfire if not managed well, leading to missed deadlines, confusion over tasks, and general chaos.
Here’s what’s worked for me (and hopefully for you too!):
Clear expectations from day one
You might love jumping between ideas, but freelancers need clear goals. Make sure you have well-defined tasks before handing them over. If bullet points and short voice notes work better for you than writing up detailed briefs, work with someone who can let you do that! Just make sure the instructions are clear.
Technicolour Tip: Use apps like Trello or Asana to organise projects into bite-sized tasks. It’s ADHD-friendly because it lets you break down big goals into smaller, manageable chunks.
Communicate regularly
With freelancers, it’s easy to fall into the trap of “out of sight, out of mind.” Before you know it, you’re missing deadlines or a project’s going in the wrong direction. Setting up regular check-ins can help without feeling like you’re micromanaging.
Technicolour Tip: Schedule automated reminders to check in every week. Otherwise, there’s a good chance you’ll forget until it’s too late (trust me, I’ve been there).
Employees need structure
If you’ve got a team of employees, you’re going to need to embrace a little structure. While they may need more day-to-day support than freelancers, it is possible to build a structure that works for everyone - including your ADHD brain.
Setting up a simple project management system might not sound like fun, but it definitely helps everyone know what’s required of them, and by when.
Clarity is kindness, and your team deserve that 😊
Embrace simplicity (and a little splash of colour!)
Complicated workflows? No thanks. Keep your systems as simple as possible. Use visuals like flowcharts or colour-coded calendars to track projects.
Whether it’s a Google Calendar with colour-coded blocks or mind maps on virtual whiteboards, you can make your systems employee-friendly and ADHD-friendly.
Schedule time to play ‘manager’
Your employees deserve to have a good manager, and even if it’s not a role you naturally fall into, you do have a responsibility to the people who work for you. Booking in monthly catch ups with a structured agenda can provide your team an opportunity to raise any issues and ask for help, and help you by giving you a specific time to don your ‘manager hat’.
Tools to save you time and headaches
You’re probably not surprised when I say that tech is our best friend. There are loads of apps out there that can do the hard work for you when it comes to managing freelancers and employees. Here are my top picks:
Slack for communication: Set up channels for each project so you don’t lose track of conversations.
Google Calendar for scheduling: I live by this. Set reminders for everything - from project deadlines to 5-minute breathing breaks.
Clockify for time tracking: Helps you (and your team) stay on top of time management.
Trello for project management: It’s flexible enough for your ADHD brain but structured enough to keep you on track.
Don’t forget to take care of you
Managing others as well as managing your ADHD means you’re always balancing a lot, and that can be exhausting. Hyperfocus might make you think you can do it all, but unfortunately burnout is real, my friends. Make sure you’re taking regular breaks, setting clear boundaries, and practising self-care.
Technicolour Tip: Build rest into your calendar like it’s a work task. Seriously, put it in your Google Calendar and don’t skip it!
The tl;dr
So, yes, managing freelancers and employees when you have ADHD can be a bit of a rollercoaster. But with the right systems in place, you’ll find that your natural ADHD strengths - creativity, flexibility, empathy - can make you a fantastic leader. And when all else fails? Call in some backup, take a breath, and remember: you’ve got this.
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