Timeless Wisdom from Mr. Rogers…and my Unsolicited POV
This space is usually reserved for content related to ADHD at work. Maybe we’ll even circle back around to that by the end. But we’ll take a slight detour because we are all human. Navigating the workplace with ADHD is only part of who we are. Mr. Rogers is known for having good advice that resonates with kids and adults alike, including the message about finding the “helpers.” Here’s my unsolicited perspective on how YOU are the helper now.
This isn’t the first time
I’ve connected the dots between ADHD and social justice before, and I’m sure I will do it again. The past few years have been hard, and it feels like some group is always being kicked when they are down. By the end of June, we’ve had a number of huge news stories that impact tons of people this summer. From gun violence at schools to rights being limited by the US Supreme Court, some of these stories are hitting too close to home.
I keep thinking about this quote from Mr. Rogers
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Whether you saw this episode when it originally aired, or only know the meme version floating around the internet, you are the helper now.
Figure out what is important to you
Stand up for what (or who!) matters to you and throw your support and energy behind those causes. I’ve talked about ADHD serving as fuel for advocacy and activism. You are now in a position to make a difference for yourself or someone you love. Heck, you’re in a position to advocate for change that impacts people you don’t necessarily love or know…and that is BEAUTIFUL.
Nobody is only one identity. We all live in the intersection of countless identities, and that just weaves our support for one another even stronger. If you look around to find the helpers, you will find organizations aligned with what is important to you. You can join those efforts to volunteer, protest, march, donate, canvass or help in your own way.
Be the Helper at Work
While I sincerely hope nobody has to experience major events requisite of the helpers Mr. Rogers references at work, we can be sure that smaller injustices continue to take place. Microaggressions and behaviors that exclude certain people or groups may happen unintentionally. But as you become aware of this, you can help make a difference.
When a team member voices a concern or an idea, it likely took a degree of courage to speak up. If their idea gets squashed, or their concern is dismissed, the team member begins to withdraw and feels less represented by the group. How does this impact neurodivergent team members? Where does ADHD come into this?
Amplify Other Voices
Everyone learns differently. Whether we are neurotypical, or fall under the broad neurodivergent umbrella, we have our own way of consuming information and engaging with others. These different processing modalities and preferences are not always welcomed and supported at work.
- If a team member requests agendas in advance of meetings, this helps them prepare. It can quiet down any concerns they have about what might be discussed or if they will be called to present. Be the helper and advocate for the agendas alongside them, or provide them!
- If a team member requests to share screens, they may be a visual learner, and the voice-only approach to knowledge transfer is not landing with them. Be the helper and share screens or drive team norms to validate all learning styles.
I hope you feel safe being you and can bring your “whole self” to work. I hope you choose to be the helper when someone needs support. When the “big things” happen, I hope that after you hold space for grief, outrage, and other big, valid feelings you can turn your energy into advocacy or activism, because you are the helper now.
I know this was a bit different than the usual ADHD @ work content. I hope this struck a chord with you. Check out other blog posts focused on leadership, executive development, and ADHD at work!
