Author: JHM
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Camp Enrolling Now!
Leadership Summer Camp is enrolling now! It’s time for SUMMER CAMP, but, this one is not for the kiddies. This is for leaders like YOU. We’ve built a Leadership Summer Camp that you can attend during a regular work week, without using precious PTO. We’re focusing on neuroinclusive leadership principles, and connecting you with new…
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Say it with a Song
How music shapes what we remember and how we work If you grew up in the eras of mixtapes or burned CDs, you know how powerful music can be. The songs you chose, the order you put them in, and even the way you named and decorated the disc all shaped how that music would…
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Leadership POV: Good and Misunderstood
A common theme in my leadership coaching is people feeling misunderstood at work. Have you ever felt… These misunderstandings can snowball beyond one interaction and create the perceptions that precede you, or your reputation, in the organization. For the last few years, when I present to organizations, I’ve included a slide or two on qualities…
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Lead with your strengths
Strengths-based leadership in action When a community member was asked how current events in the US were impacting her approach to business, her response was, “I need to keep doing what I know. I know about creating community, I know how to turn strangers into neighbors, and I know how to be a friend.” This…
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Book Recommendations
So, you want some book recommendations. There are thousands of books on various aspects of leadership, personal and professional development, diversity, neurodiversity, and ADHD. But I couldn’t find one that really pulled together these elements, so I began writing my own. Stay tuned for that, but in the interim, check out these books! For these…
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The Opposite of Inclusion
Thoughts on removing ‘inclusion’ from leadership development and workplace culture Faced with a decision The video conference fell silent as we waited for someone to voice curiosity or concern about the suggested path forward we just heard. It was clear that everyone was thinking something but no one wanted to say anything. In that moment…
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Leading Through ‘Unprecedented Times’
Reflections on Leadership After reading a few posts starting with “on this day…” and “it’s been five years since…” I started thinking about where I was in March 2020. This isn’t just a walk down memory lane. It’s a heartfelt thank you to my leaders and a playbook for anyone facing ambiguous leadership challenges. Leading…
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This Week at SXSW: How to Create ADHD-Supportive Workplaces
#ADHDatSXSW Reflections on SXSW and the only ADHD-specific panel from this year’s conference Earlier this week, I was in Austin, TX for SXSW. If you asked me last year about what that meant, I would have guessed it was a music and film festival while looking like a “shrug” emoji. Now that I’ve experienced it,…
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Disclosing Neurodivergence
Disclosing Neurodivergence Navigating if, how, and when to discuss with colleagues, leaders, and HR If you’ve been diagnosed with something under the umbrella of neurodiversity, you may be navigating how and when to share this with co-workers. Disclosing any diagnosis at work is personal, and there are a number of considerations that may influence your…
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New Year, New You!
Every year, we experience some natural “fresh starts.” As we come to the end of 2024, we are on the verge of a fresh start. Start the new year with a new 2025 desk calendar, and start fresh with other goals and activities too. Deciding What’s New For two decades, our world centered around school.…
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Saved By The Duplicates
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lindsay Guentzel from Refocused, A Podcast All About ADHD. Since then, I’ve had a few people reach out about one of the bits of advice I shared. I am so happy this tip resonated, so I decided we needed a blog post about…
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Reflections on VU Women in Tech
This weekend, Villanova University hosted the 9th annual VU Women in Tech conference. After attending and presenting at Grace Hopper Celebration a few months ago, I knew I wanted to attend. Stay Curious The day kicked off with a keynote from the pioneering Beth Mazzeo. She was one of the first 40 employees at Bloomberg…
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Own Your Leadership Journey
Reflecting on Forbes’ recent article on 5 Steps for Creating a Successful Leadership Development Plan, MPG takes a closer look at the Lead with ADHD program, and how each step is included.
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Reflections on GHC ’23
I’ve just returned from the latest conference, and had so many valuable conversations and experiences. Keep reading for my reflections on GHC ’23! Reflections on Why I Attended GHC Firstly, I only attended Grace Hopper Celebration hosted by AnitaB.org because of a bright young woman I mentor. I’ve know about GHC for years, as many…
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Planning Neuro-Inclusive Meetings
The duties of meeting and event planning fall on different people across companies, but one thing is consistent. Planning neuro-inclusive meetings is key to engagement and retention. MPG has lots of ideas on how to plan events that are inclusive and accessible. And when it comes to neuro-inclusive meetings, we know a thing or two…
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New Year, New You?
Every year, we experience some natural “fresh starts.” As we come to the end of 2022, we are on the verge of a fresh start. Start the new year with a new 2023 desk calendar, and start fresh with other goals and activities too. Deciding What’s New For two decades, our world centered around school.…
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What to look for in an Executive Coach
Here are a few things to consider when searching for an executive coach.
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Neurodivergent-friendly Accommodations at Work
Do you identify as neurodivergent, and need some neurodivergent-friendly accommodations at work? Are you an employer looking to better support your neurodivergent employees? Read on! Under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) changes to the application/hiring process, the way you do your job, or the work environment itself can be considered reasonable accommodations. Neurodivergent-friendly accommodations…
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Go Outside
Sometimes, the best advice is to “go outside”. What is your motivation for some fresh air and sunshine? We can spark creativity, reset after a stressful meeting, or gain new perspective just by taking a few minutes to enjoy the outdoors. “Playing outside or playing in space where there aren’t rules is really what allows…
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Embracing “Both”
We often hear “either/or” statements, and see things in black and white. Let’s focus on embracing “both” and explore more of the gray area. This can be even harder for neurodivergent thinkers, so read on to see how ADHDers can embrace the “both”. “Claire likes to say you can be part of the problem or…
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ADHD-friendly Meetings
While I usually work from a home office, I spent two days in an office this week! This meant I had to pack up the tools that enable my best work, without bringing my whole home office with me. Here are my secrets to ADHD-friendly meetings. Remember, this may look different for everyone, but for…
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Life Lessons from Friendly Monsters
Our office has a wall full of professional development books from the biggest names in the field, and we’re going to reference …another… type of book today. MPG founder Julia Mullins has a toddler, so Sesame Street books are just as readily available as leadership development books. Today, let’s go back to basics and see…
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Color-Coding for Success
Can color-coding help you be successful? Maybe! Everyone’s brains work differently, and many neurodivergent brains are drawn to details such as color. This can serve as a differentiator, help with labeling, trigger memories of conversations, and so much more. Ways color-coding may help you: Color code your calendar Either to differentiate different projects, clients, or…
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ADHD and Mundane Tasks
What’s the relationship between ADHD and mundane tasks? Well, it’s not a good one. ADHDers have interest-driven brains. Unsurprisingly, interest-driven brains don’t want to do boring tasks. This doesn’t mean ADHDers are broken. These people simply know what they like, and mundane tasks might not be top of their list. Consider processing modalities or learning…
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It’s All In The Family: ADHD Across Generations
If your child has ADHD, I bet you wondered who else in the family has it. ADHD is a neurological difference (not a behavioral flaw!) and diagnoses span generations in families. A recent Washington Post article spoke to this idea. As kiddos get diagnosed with ADHD, more parents see some of the same traits in…
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Need a reset? Take a Rainbow Walk
As I sat down at my desk to begin working this morning, my head was pretty crowded. This is how I frame it when cognitive hyperactivity gets the best of me. My mind is in too many places at once. I knew it was time to take a Rainbow Walk. Rainbow Walk Going outside and…
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The Right Fit for Coaching
Not everyone is ready for coaching…yet, and THAT’S OKAY. The right fit for coaching is a delicate mix of client readiness and coach/client matching. In corporate settings, companies often hire us to coach a selected cadre of leaders. While we feel fortunate to create good relationships with the individuals, we’ve seen some clients coming into…
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Our ADHD Brains
Too often, we see the faults in our ADHD brains without celebrating the amazing science behind how they work and support us. Maybe you have poor time management, or can’t focus on boring work tasks, but we’ll help you remember all the great things you can do too. Let’s dig into the hormones our brains…
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Adult ADHD: Beyond the Classroom
So, you were diagnosed with ADHD as a kid. Maybe you were diagnosed at a time when “only boys have ADHD” (not true) or maybe you were told “you’ll grow out of it when you are 18” (also not true). Chances are, your ADHD brain is still playing a big role beyond the classroom into…
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Neurodiversity and the Comfort Zone
The comfort zone is SAFE. It is FAMILIAR. It can be the much needed respite from places, people, or processes that aren’t neurodivergent-friendly. Comfort zones can have certain textures, smells, lighting, sounds, or other sensory items designed to make someone feel safe and welcome. Having a comfort zone doesn’t mean you have to stay there,…
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ADHD and Interest-Driven Brains
Despite the diagnosis of “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,” ADHDers don’t have an attention deficit…many times, ADHD brains are interest-driven! They are just drawn to high stimulation, incentives, and rewards. If a project, task, or conversation isn’t doling out the dopamine, expect an ADHDer to lose interest rather quickly. Here are some survival tips for the…
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MPG and Hogan Assessments
Why do MPG and Hogan Assessments fit together so well? Personality assessments, when properly debriefed by qualified interpreters, are incredible talent development tools. Uncovering blindspots, highlighting strengths, and understanding motivators are helpful in owning your leadership journey. MPG started using Hogan Assessments because it was so well-regarded in the corporate setting, and seemed like a…
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Strengths in Action
Strengths-based coaching and leadership let’s you focus on the GOOD. Instead of constantly focusing on what needs to change, strengths in action is helping to see where you shine. Most people can acknowledge that things aren’t always grand, but all leaders, especially ADHDers, should be proud of their strengths! Where do you SHINE? Are you……
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Diversity at Work
A perfect world would be inclusive of neurodiversity of work. It would be inclusive of ALL diversity at work! When companies’ actions don’t align with words…it’s not a good feeling. In recent weeks, we’ve seen a number of posts on LinkedIn alluding to companies claiming to be inclusive, and employees don’t seem to agree. We…
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ADHD and Impulsivity
Many can relate when it comes to ADHD and impulsivity. We can make jokes about how quick ADHDers are to ‘add to cart’ or make decisions with friends. We even celebrate impulsivity when it comes to some things. But understanding how impulsivity can show up at work helps you be an intentional leader. Here are…
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Processing Modalities: How We Learn
Processing modalities are how we learn and consume information. There are no inherently ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ ways to process information and learn. Through schooling and workplace expectations, people create an idea of what proper communication looks like. If that standard doesn’t align with some of our neurodivergent team members’ ideas, teams may have communications troubles.…
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Putting on the Brakes
“ADHD is like having a Ferrari engine for a brain with bicycle brakes. Strengthen the brakes and you have a champion.” Dr. Ned Hallowell Reflecting on my early career, I let my ADHD-fueled “Ferrari engine” brain drive me to work long hours with a big consulting firm. I didn’t set boundaries. And it took me…
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Object Permanence: The Case of the Dead Plant
I’ve written before of object permanence and a recent event made me laugh as I realized why my office plants thrive. Object permanence and the case of the dead plant gives you an idea of how this shows up! How to Thrive as a Potted Plant My typical video conference backdrop is a tall bookcase…
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Cognitive Hyperactivity
Many ADHDers tell us “I didn’t know I had ADHD because I wasn’t hyper!” Just because you can stay seated during class doesn’t mean your mind isn’t racing. Cognitive hyperactivity is exactly as it sounds. Your brain is hyperactive: Cognitive Hyperactivity in Action Names like “space cadet” or being called out for not paying attention…
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Finding the Good
Attention Perfectionists Let’s talk about finding the good (but not in that toxic positivity way…I PROMISE) Do you ever think back on the day, week, or month, and focus on what went wrong? I’m looking at you, perfectionists, people-pleasers, goal-getters. Focused on the Bad If we fall short of a goal, ADHD brains focus on…
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How to ACTUALLY Get Stuff Done
I want to believe I can do a few things at once – but in reality, it can be a recipe for disaster. If you need to get stuff done, and need a new plan for tackling the workload, read on. So, You Think You’re Multitasking Picture it. You are on a conference call, and…
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ADHD: Fuel For Advocacy and Activism
While I usually write about leading with ADHD in the workplace, I want to carry that leadership into another place in our lives where it is desperately needed. ADHD is powerful fuel for advocacy and activism. Things feel very heavy right now I wrote an earlier version of this article right after the elementary school…
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YOU are the Helper
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.…
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My Two Cents on Executive Presence
I was recently asked about a corporate phrase that I saw as ‘toxic.’ Let me tell you, I had a LOT to say about this. I have spent my career in leadership development. Since I was 20 years old, interning at a company, I’ve heard the phrase “executive presence” thrown around. This is a weighty…
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Coaching Clarity
MPG loves working with clients over a span of a few months to really help them grow professionally. The best results come when clarity on coaching is established early in the engagement. When clients are brand new to coaching, we talk through what coaching looks like. It’s different than consulting, mentoring, and therapy. Coaching is…
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Advocating in the Workplace
Striving for Inclusive Workplaces I strongly believe that advocating in the workplace can lead to truly inclusive organizations. Teams that are accepting, encouraging, and accommodating of everyone – including neurodivergent employees. This can be tricky to advocate for on your own. But if you’re comfortable sharing a bit more about what you need to be…
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Object Permanence: Books
My Reason (or Excuse) for Buying So Many Books Do you have an urge to buy everything related to a current interest? If you have a current special interest, hobby (or hyperfixation), you’ve probably gone down this rabbit hole too. Maybe this is a new craft, videogame, sport, or topic of study. For me, this…
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Leadership Lessons from the Mountains
We moved to Seattle in 2016, and quickly fell in love with all the hiking opportunities. We could be on a mountain within 30 minutes, and in our choice of incredible national parks within a few hours. The Pacific Northwest (PNW) really is a treasure, and taught me so much about myself and life. Here…
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Getting in the Habit
Let’s talk about getting in the habit of building good habits. Who is consistent? Chances are you find your groove and stick to some habits for a length of time, and then need to reset. You are not alone. There are some great books that help build better habits. Atomic Habits Atomic Habits by James…
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Processing Modalities: Kinesthetic Learning
Interested in processing modalities? This article digs into a great example of kinesthetic learning. For an overview of processing modalities, check out this article. A Break from the Norm Do you love being tethered to a desk while you work? Whether or not you have ADHD, there’s a chance you benefit from switching things up…
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Workplace Red Flags (and Green Flags!)
There’s been a great deal of talk about red flags lately. Let’s look at some of the Red Flags when it comes to ADHD-Friendly Workplaces! Workplace 🚩 RED FLAGS 🚩 These are a few things that would make any workplace less inviting, but can be detrimental to someone with ADHD. Lacking Psychological Safety Employees should…
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Procrastination: “I’m going to do it again”
If you mindlessly scroll Instagram, you may have recently landed on a trending audio of Porsha Williams from Real Housewives of Atlanta saying “The biggest takeaway from this experience? I’m going to do it again!” I have never seen the show and don’t even know the context of this clip, but relate to it so…
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Inclusion Hack
Neurodivergent-Friendly Meetings Inclusion doesn’t always look like drastic measures. Something as simple as leveraging existing tools found in Microsoft Outlook can help with HOW you schedule meetings. Keep reading how this inclusion hack benefits everyone, especially neurodivergent individuals. Respecting start- and end-times of meetings is appreciated by everyone, and neurodivergent teammates really benefit from this…
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Do Something New
MPG to Present at 2022 Annual International Conference on ADHD When was the last time you decided to do something new or something that scared you? We don’t mean dangerous and reckless. But when have you stepped out of your comfort zone as you were growing professionally? MPG founder, Julia Mullins, loves speaking to groups.…
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When Life Hands You Lemons
This is a reflection on how Working Memory plays a role in every aspect of an ADHD life. When life hands you lemons, get a really nice glass pitcher (or two) and fresh-squeeze some lemonade! We need a nice pitcher During the summer of 2021, my family spent some time at the beach. On one…
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Who’s Driving This Train?
Whether current events are overwhelming, or there just seems to be too many things to keep up with, it’s easy to wonder, “Who’s driving this train?!” Many times, ADHD is driving our train of thought. We’d rather be chasing down the fun and interesting stuff than focusing on the necessary and important tasks. This can…
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Accessible Video Conferencing
Let’s talk ACCESSIBILITY! Did you know many neurodivergent people prefer captions on movies and shows? This has nothing to do with their actual hearing. It has to do with their auditory processing. It can be helpful in tracking the story and picking up valuable details. How can we bring this same accessibility to the office?…
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Disclosing Neurodivergence
If you’ve been diagnosed with something under the umbrella of neurodivergence, you may be navigating how and when to share this with co-workers. Disclosing neurodivergence conditions at work is personal, and there are a number of considerations that may influence your plans to share. Teammates rarely come back from the dermatologist or gastroenterologist with colorful…
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Prioritization: The ADHD Way
Prioritization can be a challenge. Many leaders with ADHD will prioritize too many things for various reasons. This article helps in finding ways to say ‘no’ using the Eisenhower Matrix. There are dozens of things we need to do at any given time. If you are a people-pleaser or perfectionist, your list is probably even…
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ADHD and Targeted Marketing
If you’re newly diagnosed with ADHD, you may be navigating through a ton of information right now. If you spend any time reading articles about ADHD, or scrolling social media, you are bombarded with ads for products and services that may, or may NOT, actually serve you in any way. Here’s some tips for dealing…
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Advocating for a Neurodivergent-friendly Workplace
Depending on when you were diagnosed, you may have different support systems and ways for advocating for a neurodivergent-friendly workplace. If you were diagnosed with ADHD as a child, you may have had an entire support network of parents, teachers, and counselors. A full team to create an individualized education plan, and make sure you…
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Protect Your Boundaries
Protect Your Boundaries to Earn a Treat! I saw some “punch card” ideas on Twitter and thought what better way to set and maintain healthy boundaries during Mental Health Awareness Month! Neurodivergent folks juggle more mental health issues than our neurotypical colleagues. Why is that, and how do we protect ourselves? Many people with ADHD…
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Productive or Busy
Have you ever… Have you ever been SO busy all day – we’re talking non-stop thinking about work deadlines, then wondering if you need to buy toilet paper, then remembering you need to buy a gift for an upcoming birthday, then thinking what you’ll make for dinner, then starting another list for the grocery store…
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The Alphabet Soup of Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity sometimes feels like a buzz word that just entered our vocabulary in the last few years. In fact, Australian sociologist, Judy Singer, coined the term in the late-1990s (quick reminder for anyone who has lost track of time…that was more than two decades ago.) And the alphabet soup of neurodiversity just keeps getting richer!…
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“Back to School” Season: A Fresh Start
It’s Back to School Season Already! While we are still in the height of summer, I’m already seeing all the “back to school” advertising to get kids excited for new clothes and new school supplies. While the material things certainly seem important in grade school, I can’t help but wonder how many people see a…
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Just Take The First Step
Inspiration is Everywhere I used to drive by a high school almost every day. One day in 2018, while sitting in traffic, I noticed a Martin Luther King Jr. quote painted up along the school’s fence. “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”…
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Mullins Professional Group (MPG)
We’re excited to introduce Mullins Professional Group (MPG). Founded by Julia Mullins, this boutique professional development firm focuses on: MPG partners with individuals, teams, and companies on a variety of engagements. Learn a bit more about our founder, and what MPG can do, and then let’s connect! Julia H. Mullins, Founder After building a 15+…