ADHD at Work: "You mustn't start thinking!"

ADHD at Work: Psychiatrist Heiner Lachenmeier (personally affected) explains how to overcome challenges and leverage strengths like creativity or hyperfocus. Learn his hacks against rigid structures and overanalysis in daily professional life.

ADHD on the Job: "You Must Not Start Thinking!"

Many people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) face specific challenges in their professional lives, especially when confronted with rigid structures and routines. Psychiatrist Heiner Lachenmeier, who is affected by ADHD himself, shares his field-tested strategies for making the most of one's strengths in any professional environment. These insights are particularly relevant for specialists, executives, and students who want to actively shape their careers, even in demanding degree programs such as an MBA. Published on September 21, 2026.

ADHD can manifest in many ways in everyday work life, from difficulty concentrating and easy distractibility to impulsivity and challenges with time management. At the same time, positive traits are often attributed to people with ADHD, such as increased creativity, problem-solving skills under pressure, and the ability for so-called "hyperfocus," where they can dedicate themselves intensely to a task for hours. Lachenmeier's approach focuses on identifying and specifically utilizing these strengths while simultaneously developing strategies to overcome specific hurdles. Avoiding over-analysis ("You must not start thinking!") serves as an example of techniques designed to help overcome decision-making blocks or perfectionism that can impair productivity.

For those interested in MBA and Master's degree programs, this means an expanded perspective on personal development and leadership skills. These programs are often characterized by high demands on self-organization, project management, and the ability to multitask. Understanding neural diversity and developing individual work strategies that go beyond traditional time management methods can represent a decisive competitive advantage. Modern MBA programs also increasingly emphasize soft skills and personal resilience, providing space for engaging with different ways of working and promoting an inclusive work environment.

Lachenmeier's findings underscore the importance of tailored approaches in professional life. They show that while rigid frameworks can pose a challenge, performance and satisfaction can be significantly increased with the right strategies and a deep understanding of one's own way of working. This is relevant not only for individuals with ADHD but for anyone who wants to increase their efficiency and reach their full potential. Integrating such perspectives into professional education, as offered by MBA programs, can help future leaders build more flexible and high-performing teams.