Navigating The Printing Industry With ADHD

Over the last year, I've seen a significant rise through my coaching relationships with people in our Industry being diagnosed with ADHD. For those affected, it's been an eye opener to understand why they behave the way they do and from my own perspective, it's caused me to change my coaching style to adapt. I've seen firsthand how it can a person's ability to manage the challenges of running a printing business however the good news is that with the correct approach, someone with ADHD can actually use it as a bit of a superpower to thrive and as I've seen in some cases, use it to a competitive advantage. 

As an industry, we're full of highly creative people, a quality often shared by people with ADHD. I have a few clients who really stand out when thinking outside the box and create innovative ideas. With that said, ADHD can also bring with it fresh challenges that need to be overcome. Time management can be a real issue, working to a tight structure and feeling overwhelmed by decision-making can often hold people back. It can be difficult to stay focused on the daily tasks involved with running a printing company. 

As a Print Coach, where normally I would be encouraging clients to maintain consistent routines, it can be the complete opposite for people with ADHD. This can be a struggle for them and if not handled carefully, can lead to them being frustrated and create self-doubt. 

How to Get the Best out of Business Owners with ADHD

1. Break tasks into smaller chunks

 Often big tasks can create overwhelm so to help get the best out of my coaching clients, we break the tasks down into smaller, more actionable steps. This allows their vision to be smaller, more digestible and more achievable. It can also reduce anxiety around what needs to be done in order to keep moving forward in their business. 

2. Focus on short bursts of productivity

As I alluded to already, time management can be a real challenge and so blocking specific periods of time throughout the day to focus on these tasks can significantly help. I tried this with a client just last week and they were astounded by the hike in their productivity. To be honest, it's a practice I follow myself. I use something called the Pomodoro Method which uses short bursts of concentrated work followed by a break. I tend to work on a focused task for 40 minutes non-stop without any interruptions and then take a 20 minute break. Usually, just to get up, stretch my legs, get some fresh air in the garden of make a cuppa. Then I get back to it! These intense focus for short periods of time can be game changing for anyone, not just those affected by ADHD. 

3. Help with Decision Making & Prioritising Tasks

 Deciding what to focus on and how to prioritise what to start with can be tough as everything all feels urgent. We can be trying to plan production schedules, manage client relationships, implement marketing strategies, things many of us just take for granted. In my print coaching sessions, I'll work with a client to truly understand which tasks are most important and which ones can be delegated or postponed. This not only reduced the stress and the overwhelm but it creates little wins and helps make clearer and quicker decisions to keep their business moving forward. 

 4. Playing to the Superpower

 ADHD is often associated with creativity and used correctly, really can be a superpower for a business. It's my role as a print coach to harness that creativity in my clients and leverage it's strength. Accepting the unique ways someone with ADHD thinks and tapping into that creative thinking an ability to identify solutions to customer problems. 

5. Empathy, Compassion & Accountability

 One of the most important aspects of coaching someone with ADHD is offering the right balance of empathy, compassion and accountability. ADHD can eat away at someone's confidence and cause them to doubt every action they take. I try to create a safe space so that they can be open about their challenges. With that said, accountability, like any coaching relationship is key. It's not just about what happens on our coaching sessions. I try to work alongside my clients between these sessions to make sure they are staying on track with their goals. Regular check-ins are important and ensures I am there for them if they become stuck. 

Being diagnosed with ADHD doesn't mean you can't still run a super successful printing company. Far from it in fact. I've watched many clients excel and as their business progresses, their confidence has increased and their ability to manage each day has grown stronger too. The solution is simply to better understand what ADHD is and use the right tools, strategies and support mechanisms to utilise that superpower to it's full potential. The printing industry thrives on creativity and nobody embodies this more than someone with ADHD.