Most people see the polished side of my work…. visionary strategies, detailed outputs, strong presentations, and consistent overachievement.

What they rarely see is the architecture behind the scenes:

• the color-coded sticky notes,
• shifting between tasks mid-thought,
• needing the television or some other type of distractor on in the background while writing professional reports,
• or stepping away from my laptop to stare out the window for a moment or two just to reset my mind.

They also do not see the occasional struggle to maintain eye contact, not due to rudeness or lack of confidence, but because sometimes, my brain is processing so many streams at once, it needs a moment to recalibrate.

Masking Excellence: What the World Sees vs. What It Takes

As a high-functioning adult with ADHD, I have spent years developing what are known as classic adaptive strategies to help me succeed in demanding environments. These are techniques I use to create order, structure, and rhythm for a brain that processes in high-definition, often across multiple channels.

I highlight, flag, color-code, compartmentalize, and pace my energy to keep everything flowing. People applaud the outcomes, but few understand the mental gymnastics that make them possible.

Focus Isn’t Linear: It’s Web-Like

My thinking process isn’t a straight line. It’s web-like rather than linear.

Ideas connect in clusters, and insight comes from pattern recognition rather than step-by-step logic. That means I (and others with similar mind mapping tendencies) can jump between concepts, create new pathways, and innovate in real-time, but it also means I need tools to anchor those thoughts.

My productivity thrives through structured stimulation: a delicate balance of sound, movement, and visuals that help me stay focused.

For example, I often keep the TV on in the background while writing or reading. It may seem counterintuitive, but that extra layer of stimulation actually helps me concentrate by diffusing excess mental energy. Silence creates a vacuum that invites distraction.

This is part of a strategy called stimulus stacking: intentionally layering multiple mild stimuli (like soft music, tactile objects, visual color codes) to support sustained attention.

Distributed Focus: A Survival Superpower

I toggle between multiple tasks in a single sitting, and while some see it as being scattered, it is actually a form of distributed focus. Instead of locking into one task for hours, I shift between tasks to manage mental fatigue and maximize creativity. It lets me return to a task with fresh eyes and new energy.

This type of attention regulation is NOT a flaw. It is an advanced coping mechanism, and I sincerely wish that teachers, parents and bosses would be open to accepting the concept that persons learn and think differently…. and “differently” is not a synonym for “problematic”.

Emotional Intelligence + ADHD: Not Mutually Exclusive

I have also learned that ADHD and emotional intelligence go hand in hand.

While I may avoid eye contact in certain situations, it is not disinterest. It is often because I am using other senses to stay attuned. I may be analyzing your tone, processing non-verbal cues, or managing my own sensory load.

Ironically, many of us with high-functioning ADHD are hyper-attuned to others’ emotions. This awareness makes us excellent listeners, responsive teammates, and deeply empathetic leaders.

Adaptive Divergent Thinking: The Creative Edge

One of the greatest assets of high-functioning ADHD is adaptive divergent thinking: the ability to see multiple solutions, connect unconventional dots, and reimagine problems from new angles. My brain doesn’t just solve problems; it reframes them. This is where creativity meets leadership.

And yet, to tap into that ability, I need spaciousness. That means time to mentally wander, reflect, or even stare out the window. These moments are not procrastination. They are restoration. They make the sprints possible.

Structure Isn’t a Crutch, It’s a Strength

I use structure as scaffolding: colored tabs, visual cues, and thoughtful rituals to build clarity out of complexity. These aren’t just hacks. They are vital tools for navigating a world that often wasn’t designed with neurodiverse thinkers in mind.

What may look like restlessness or distraction is often my brain optimizing how it moves through space and ideas. And when supported, that brain can at times, generate brilliance.

What I Wish More People Understood

Being high-functioning doesn’t mean it is easy.

It means I have engineered systems around the way my brain works best. It means I commit to delivering excellence because I have worked hard to adapt, creatively and rigorously.

ADHD doesn’t always look like chaos.

Sometimes it looks like high performance powered by unseen effort.

Sometimes it looks like resilience wrapped in rituals.

And sometimes it looks like vision, edge, and originality.

Final Thoughts

I no longer see my ADHD traits as liabilities. I see them as part of a unique operating system that, when honored and supported, offers range, flexibility, and depth.

If any of this resonates with you, you are not alone.

You’re wired differently….. and that wiring has tremendous value.

by Gail C. Figaro (MSc.), CBEP, CXAD (Dip), R.E.E.,
Chair, Professional Development Committee, TTAP