Justine Capelle Collis, AACC’s Post

Neurodiversity: The hidden strengths in our teams. Yesterday's International Coaching Federation community meeting was eye-opening. We explored neurodiversity and how we, as coaches, can support our clients. Here are some key insights: 15-20% of the world population is neurodivergent. In Germany: - Approximately 4.4% of children and 2-3% of adults are affected by ADHD. This translates to around 1.7 to 2.5 million adults. - Dyslexia affects between 3-8% of the population. A 2019 study in Bavaria found that about 7% of primary school children have dyslexia, yet only a fraction receive proper accommodations. - Dyspraxia: Global estimates suggest 5-6% prevalence in children, but it's often underdiagnosed. - Tourette Syndrome: Affects about 0.5-1% of the population. Increased awareness among educators and healthcare providers is essential. Germany's support systems for neurodivergent individuals are improving but still inconsistent. Education and healthcare systems offer some resources, yet there's a call for more uniform support and recognition. It's crucial to recognize that neurodivergent individuals often bring unique strengths to their teams, such as: 👉 Creative and innovative thinking 👉 Attention to detail 👉 Pattern recognition 👉 Hyperfocus on areas of interest 👉 Unique problem-solving approaches To inspire a positive view of neurodiversity in the workplace, you could focus on: 👉 Highlighting success stories of neurodivergent individuals in various fields 👉 Educating about the potential benefits of diverse thinking styles in teams 👉 Promoting inclusive workplace practices that support all types of minds 👉 Emphasizing the importance of embracing different perspectives for innovation Have you considered how neurodiversity can enhance your team's performance? #Neurodiversity #Leadership #Coaching

Maybe there’s nothing wrong with you. Maybe it’s just challenging to fit into a system not designed for your unique mind. Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting one of my dearest colleagues, who, like me, shares ADHD symptoms. Our conversation highlighted a common struggle: we often question what is right or wrong in how we approach our work and wonder if our challenges are due to something inherently flawed within us. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that the issue lies with us rather than recognizing that the system we operate in might not be designed with our unique ways of thinking in mind. We can start to doubt ourselves, questioning whether our ADHD symptoms are the problem, when in reality, the systems, processes, and expectations around us might not be suited to our neurodivergent styles. From my perspective, neurodiversity celebrates the wide range of cognitive variations, including ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence. Many individuals with neurodivergent traits face difficulties not because of their minds, but because the systems they operate within aren’t tailored to their strengths and needs. Coaching — for both neurodivergent individuals and their managers or colleagues — can play a pivotal role in bridging this gap. It offers personalized strategies and support tailored to individual needs and strengths. For neurodivergent individuals, coaching helps them gain a deeper understanding of their unique ways of thinking and equips them with tools to leverage their strengths effectively. It also provides practical methods to navigate and thrive in environments that may not naturally align with their cognitive style. For managers and colleagues, coaching can foster greater empathy and awareness, helping them to create more supportive and inclusive workspaces. By addressing these gaps, coaching promotes a better understanding of diverse cognitive styles, enabling everyone to contribute their best and achieve success together. Let’s work together to create systems and solutions that embrace diverse minds and unlock their full potential.  If you’re interested in exploring how coaching can make a difference for you or your team, feel free to reach out to me. I’d be happy to discuss how we can work together to foster an inclusive and thriving environment. #Neurodiversity #ADHD #Coaching #Inclusion #Neurodivergence

🎉 Celebrating Strengths! 🎉 In the past 12 months, I've accomplished some incredible milestones. ⭐ Completed 64 hours of  ICF accredited coach training 📚 At Full Circle Global with Gillian McMichael MCC ⭐  Completed101.5 hours of ADHD training, of which 61.5hrs were specialist ADHD Coach training 🧠At Gold Mind Academy with Katie Friedman, PCC, PCAC & Alex Campbell, ACC, MBACP. ⭐ About to log 100 hours of coaching clients 🎯 As an ADHDer, I can often doubt myself and downplay my abilities. ADHDers are especially good at minimizing strengths while readily acknowledging our challenges or mistakes. But today, I'm choosing to celebrate my achievements loudly and proudly! This isn't about showing off or bragging, it's about practicing what I preach within my coaching. It's about celebrating the wins, no matter how small, and recognizing the achievements that often go unnoticed by ourselves. So, what strengths did lean into to achieve these milestones? Bravery - Stepping out of my comfort zone to pursue a new direction. Honesty -  Reflecting on my own challenges and narratives. Using my experiences to learn and grow so that I can support myself before I support my clients. Creativity -  Developing unique strategies and approaches for myself that support my brain wiring. Curiosity - Constantly seeking new knowledge and understanding about ADHD and coaching. Perseverance - Pushing through difficult times and staying committed to show up each week. Proving to myself  that I can follow through with my dreams. Love of Learning - Embracing opportunities to expand my skills and knowledge and realising how much I love this. Zest -  Bringing energy and enthusiasm to my training session and in practice. Love – compassion and love for myself, for the things I find hard as well as the things that come easier. ADHDers will often compare themselves to neuronormative standards, this can often overshadow the recognition of strengths. Strengths can change a our state and disrupt our negative bias. It’s easy to resist them, however, I invite you to find yours in a moment of achievement, as well as in moment of challenge. 💪✨ #adhdspecialistcoach #adhdstrenghts #adhdcoaching

Want to better understand how to equip yourself to support neurodivergent clients? 🚀 Join John Fleming PCC MBACP and Polly Downes PCC for a Powerful Conversation on Neurodiversity in Coaching 🚀 hosted by the UK ICF Bath and Bristol Group - Open to All Coaches This is your chance to dive deep into a topic that’s transforming the coaching landscape! 🌟 Neurodiversity in Coaching Workshop 🗓 Date & Time: Monday 11th November - 4pm-5:30pm 📍 Location: (Online) 👉 Register Here: https://lnkd.in/e9sxh2Bd 💸 Price: FREE and Open to All Coaches John and Polly will share valuable insights into coaching strategies that embrace neurodiversity. You’ll gain a better understanding of ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurodiverse experiences — and how to support clients with tools that enhance their unique strengths. Here’s what you can expect: Real-World Strategies: Practical ways to adapt your coaching for neurodivergent clients. Insights: Hear from experienced professionals who’ll break down the challenges and advantages of neurodiverse coaching. Inclusive Coaching Practices: Learn how you can create a more accessible and empowering environment for all your clients. #coachworkshop #neurodiversitycoaching #neurodiversity #icf

Have you ever felt like your mind is a bustling city with no traffic lights? 🚦 Constantly moving, yet struggling to find direction? If you’re nodding, you’re not alone. As someone who is coaching individuals with ADHD, I understand the unique challenges and incredible potential that come with a neurodiverse mind. ADHD isn't a barrier; it's a different way of processing the world. And with the right strategies, it can be your greatest asset. At PhilanthroPeak Coaching, we focus on transforming distractions into laser-focused progress. Imagine having a blueprint for success tailored specifically to how your brain works. One of the key elements we emphasize is time management. For many with ADHD, traditional methods just don’t cut it. Instead, we explore innovative techniques that align with your natural rhythms. This might mean using visual timers, breaking tasks into smaller, manageable chunks, or even leveraging AI tools to keep you on track. Another crucial aspect is accountability. Having someone to check in with can make all the difference. It’s not just about staying on task; it’s about celebrating wins, learning from setbacks, and continuously moving forward. Our coaching provides that supportive partnership, ensuring you’re not navigating this journey alone. Focus and attention management are also pivotal. We help you identify peak focus times and create environments that minimize distractions. This isn’t about forcing yourself to fit into a mold; it’s about crafting a work style that maximizes your strengths. If you’re ready to break barriers and build a thriving career, let’s connect. Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below. What strategies have worked for you? Let’s inspire each other to reach new heights. #ADHDProductivity #FocusDrivenSuccess #NeurodiverseProfessionals

Encourage your team to disagree with you! Apart from the fact people feel empowered when their opinions are sought and listened to, you might find a better way to approach the issue, problem, or challenge? When a team know they're allowed to (respectfully) disagree and find better solutions, they are more committed and motivated. In a workshop about this very topic this week someone shared that the behaviour of senior management to stifle debate and shut down disagreement was directly fuelling a mass exit of the best and the brightest. Encourage debate, get your team to play devils advocate, and realise great er resilience in the team AND improved innovation. Let me know if you'd like to learn more about how to achieve this for your team. #PsychologicalSafety #EmployeeEngagement =============================================== 🗝 I help Senior Leaders unlock their and their teams performance through coaching, mentoring, and training. 🎓 Now a Certified ADHD Practitioner, I can bring additional support into coaching work with clients who have, or suspect they may have, ADHD. 📞 If you'd like to know more, drop me a DM or book in a call (link in my Bio) and lets chat about how I can help.

Have you ever completed a project or reached a goal, only to diminish its significance the moment it’s over? Success amnesia is a common, yet seldom discussed, phenomenon among us ADHDers. This tendency to forget or downplay our achievements can lead to a cycle of self-doubt and underestimation of our capabilities. As an ADHD Coach and a professional immersed in human resources, I've observed on many occasions, and also been guility myself, how we move quickly from one task to another, barely pausing to acknowledge our successes. This isn't just about forgetting to celebrate, it's about not internalising our accomplishments at all, which can impact our self-esteem and career trajectory. Here are three strategies to combat success amnesia that have helped me: 📓Maintain a Success Journal: Start penning down your wins, no matter the size. Think of it as your personal highlights reel, proof that you’re more awesome than you give yourself credit for. ⏸ Reflective Pauses: Insert tiny breaks into your routine to pause and pat yourself on the back. A moment of self-recognition can go a long way in acknowledging the effort and skill each task takes. 🔊 Seek Feedback: Regularly check in with friends, mentors, or your coach. Sometimes, a little external cheerleading is just what we need to remind us of our impact and worth. What would you add? #ADHD #WomenInBusiness #Leadership #Empowerment #ADHDwomen

Neurodiversity and Coaching Coaches, it’s time to elevate our game by embracing neurodiversity! Here’s why and how we can make our coaching more inclusive and impactful: 💡 Why Neuroinclusion? 1. Diverse Strengths: Neurodiverse individuals bring unique perspectives. Let’s leverage these to drive innovation!  2. Equity & Accessibility: Ensure everyone, regardless of neurotype, benefit from your coaching.  3. Enhanced Engagement: Inclusive practices lead to happier, more engaged clients. 💡 Research-Backed Tips 1. Understand Neurotypes: Learn about ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and more.  2. Flexible Communication: Adapt your style to meet your client’s needs.  3. Sensory-Friendly Spaces: Create environments that reduce sensory overload. 💡 Practical Solutions 1. Personalized Plans: Tailor coaching plans to individual needs.  2. Regular Feedback: Check in often and adjust based on feedback.  3. Inclusive Materials: Use clear language, visual aids, and structured sessions. 4. Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest research and practices. 5. Most importantly, ASK. Ask the individual how they want to work with you and their communication preferences. Let’s discuss it! How are you making your coaching more inclusive? Share your tips, experiences, and challenges in the comments. Together, we can create a more supportive coaching environment for everyone! #Neurodiversity #Coaching #InclusiveCoaching #ADHD #Autism #Dyslexia #ProfessionalDevelopment #DiversityAndInclusion

So, you've just gone through the assessment process and have been told you are neurodivergent. Maybe this comes as a bit of a surprise, or maybe it is what you had expected. You have your report now. You have taken the time to read it. You have acknowledged and tried to understand your diagnosis. But what next? The period of time between getting a formal diagnosis and receiving coaching, or counselling, or going on medication can feel like an entire lifetime. Long waitlists and under-resourced services mean sometimes it can feel like you have been forgotten. This is one of the reasons that our brilliant team of psychologists and developers decided to create the Genius Finder. First it was just an idea, a few scribbles on a piece of paper. Fast forward to Autumn 2024 and we have the Genius Finder Pro and My Genius Finder available for purchase, with regular updates consistent with our clients feedback and a massive variety of features that can help you fill in the gaps in minutes. The Genius Finder is an online assessment tool designed to support individuals in exploring the most common work-related strengths and struggles. It provides you with clear strategies that aim to help you manage all of these areas. With October being an important month of awareness in the neurodivergent and disabled community, this month we will be taking a deep dive into how the Genius Finder can help neurodivergent individuals, coaches and organisations looking to understand their employee base more. If you are eager to find out more, visit geniusfinder.com, or speak to one of our team via [email protected] 💡 #GeniusFinder #Neurodiversity #Awareness #Neurodivergent #Disability #Inclusion #PersonalDevelopment #NeurodiversityCoaching #Coaching #DEI

Before I was given the keys to my brain and the understanding of how to get things going in there, I struggled with pretty much everything. I hid it well and managed to work full time in a senior position but behind the scenes, things were not good. I felt anxious all the time, I would overthink everything, I would feel constant shame for not being able to 'manage' the same way that everyone else did. Coaching helped me to unlock all of that and start to change the way that I did things. Some of the things that have helped me (and this will be different for everyone, we're all different): - I turned off all notifications on my phone. Now I don't get distracted and I can check in on things when I am ready. - Time blocking everything. Not just work things but rest, breaks, food, travel. This has helped massively with awareness of time and actually making sure I remember to go to the go to the toilet, eat and drink. You know, the things that keep me alive. - I focus on my strengths. This one is a game changer. Instead of telling myself how rubbish I am, I lean into my strengths and use these to support myself even when things are more challenging. - I reduce expectations of myself. AuDHD isn't a linear experience so today, I feel like I'm alert and ready to take on the world. I also know that I have two long video calls today so tomorrow, I might need a quieter day to recharge. I didn't do any of these things overnight. It's been a long process that started nearly two years ago and it's something that I'll continue to learn about and refine as I go. #ADHDCommunity #NeurodiversityAtWork #AutismAwareness --- 👋 Hi, I'm Allie. I talk about ADHD, autism and embracing neurodiversity to help everyone to thrive. Ways to work with me: - 1:1 ADHD coaching - Online neurodiversity workshops - HR DEI consulting services I use my professional experience to support learning and development in the workplace and beyond, and I appreciate that my lived experience of AuDHD will be different to others. We are all wonderfully unique and it's important to listen to a wide range of voices to become truly inclusive.