October is ADHD Awareness Month—a time to reflect on how we can embrace our unique strengths and challenges, especially in the workplace.
One tool that can help you thrive at work, whether you have ADHD or not, is the Manual of Me (sometimes called How to Work Best with Me). Think of this as your personal user manual—a guide for colleagues to understand your work style, communication preferences, and how they can help you succeed.
For those with ADHD, this concept can be particularly powerful. However, this is not just for people with ADHD—it’s a valuable tool for anyone, whether you’re neurodivergent or neurotypical.
By creating and sharing your "Manual of Me," you’re fostering better communication and mutual understanding across your team. It helps everyone recognize that different work styles aren’t about one being superior or inferior—they're about creating environments where we can all thrive.
What is the "Manual of Me"?
A "Manual of Me" is a simple document that outlines how you work best. It includes things like how you like to receive feedback, what motivates you, your preferred working conditions, and what challenges you might face. By sharing this manual with your colleagues or manager, you’re helping them understand how to support you more effectively.
The key here is that this tool promotes mutual understanding. Every team member, regardless of how their brain works, has their own preferences, strengths, and areas where they might need support. When everyone shares their own manual, it creates an open dialogue that promotes respect and inclusivity, not judgment or comparison.
Why ADHD and the "Manual of Me" Are a Perfect Match
For those with ADHD, a "Manual of Me" can be especially empowering. ADHD affects attention, working memory, and how we handle things like task-switching or deadlines. By outlining your unique work needs and strengths, you can proactively shape your work environment and avoid common misunderstandings.
Here are a few ways the "Manual of Me" can support ADHD brains:
Managing distractions: You can specify what helps you stay focused—like working in a quiet space or using noise-canceling headphones.
Deadlines and task management: You can clarify if you work best with frequent check-ins or more time to plan and break down tasks.
Feedback style: You can let your team know how you process feedback best, e.g. when it’s constructive and private, written or face-to-face.
Flexibility and structure: You can share if you thrive in focused sprints with regular breaks or need flexibility in how you structure your day.
Supporting an Inclusive Workplace
Fortunately, today's workplaces are moving toward greater inclusivity. Having each team member create and share their "Manual of Me" can help build a culture where differences in how we work are not only accepted but embraced. By openly communicating our needs and preferences, we reduce assumptions, prevent frustration, and foster a more harmonious team dynamic.
Sharing your "Manual of Me" is not about asking for special treatment or admitting weakness—it’s about contributing to an environment where everyone is set up for success. This creates a more supportive and inclusive workspace, whether someone is neurodivergent or neurotypical.
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Example of a "Manual of Me" for Someone with ADHD
Here’s a sample outline to help you envision what your "Manual of Me" might look like. Feel free to get creative, to adapt it to fit your personal needs!
My Name:
My Role:
What motivates me:
- Positive feedback and encouragement
- Clear goals with well-defined deadlines
- A sense of autonomy and trust in my abilities
What distracts me:
- Background noise and open office environments
- Constant interruptions or unplanned meetings
- Unclear priorities or tasks
How I work best:
- In focused bursts of work with scheduled breaks
- When I have a clear list of priorities
- With tools that help organize tasks and manage time (I use Brili)
How I prefer to communicate:
- Direct and to-the-point communication via email or messaging
- Face-to-face meetings for complex discussions or brainstorming
- I may need time to process complex information before I respond
How I prefer to receive feedback:
- Constructive feedback delivered privately
- I appreciate examples and actionable suggestions
- Time to reflect before discussing next steps
What I need from my team/manager to succeed:
- Clear expectations and priorities to stay focused
- Flexibility in how I manage tasks, as long as deadlines are met
- Understanding that I might need more time for tasks requiring deep focus
Challenges I’m working on:
- Managing distractions in busy environments
- Breaking larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks
- Organizing my day without getting overwhelmed
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Why Everyone Should Create a "Manual of Me"
This October, during ADHD Awareness Month, we encourage everyone to reflect on their own work style—whether you’re neurodivergent or neurotypical. Creating your "Manual of Me" isn’t just for those with ADHD; it’s a powerful tool for any professional.
By understanding your own strengths and challenges, you set yourself up for success. And by sharing this with your team, you help foster a culture of mutual respect and understanding.
The "Manual of Me" isn’t about saying one way of working is better than another. It’s about valuing diversity and recognizing that when we understand each other’s needs, we can collaborate more effectively and inclusively.
Taking Action
To make it easy to get started, we’ve created a "Manual of Me" Template you can download, fill out, and share.
Download your "Manual of Me" Template here!
By creating and sharing your "Manual of Me," you’re not only reflecting on your own work needs but also contributing to an inclusive workplace where everyone can be at their best.
We’d love to hear from you! Download the template, share your thoughts, and join the conversation on how we can all support each other better at work!