When you think everything is going wrong – keep going! I guarantee the reality is different to what you think!
This morning was a prime example of this.
Despite my specialist knowledge and long experience in what I do – trainer, mentor, Instructor and coach in inclusive vulnerable employment, mental health and wellbeing, team empowerment, neurodivergent workplace awareness for Managers and Ally levels as well as a 1:1 ADHD Coach, even I have those moments when I want to go into a soundproof room and scream!!! This morning was one of those.
So, what happened?
One word……..TECHNOLOGY!
Today I was delivering a new session I’ve written – Raising Awareness of ADHD in the Workplace – How to be a Ally. The work book had been sent out along with the Zoom link, meeting ID and passcode. Teams were joining from Aberdeen, Glasgow. London, Bradford, Belfast and Leeds. All working on the same organisation’s estate. So exciting!
The first team joined from Leeds. Then the tumbleweed moment hit. As the minutes ticked by, no one else joined! Then the ‘we can’t connect the room’ emails started coming in! It was now 15 minutes after the official start time. I know how quickly anxiety, frustration and pressure can rise in people when something isn’t going right. So, I kicked off with the team in Leeds and advised their peers to reschedule.
I began by explaining the work book, where to make notes and notice the signposting at the rear. The first few slides covered what ADHD is, what it impacts, the different responsibilities of the three key specialists involved in someone’s neurodivergent journey. Interaction was flowing, with questions, comments – a lot of engagement. Picking out the key messages of a film featuring children, teenagers, young adults and adults sharing how they are impacted, really helped give insight into ideas of what might be seen in the workplace. Then we reached the six areas of Executive Functioning – halfway through – the bells started ringing!
THE FIRE BELLS! Yes, a full fire evacuation leading to the team having to leave the room for 40 minutes.
Unphased on their return we completed the remaining areas of Executive Functioning before brainstorming how we can be an Ally to a colleague. We then touched on the other areas of neurodivergence – which gave a few more lightbulb moments as some of the team recognised some of what we were discussing is present in some people in their private lives.
Finally finishing 40 minutes later, I was blown away to hear their verbal feedback:
“really great session”
“I learnt so much I didn’t know – and I have people close to me that experience some of this)
So, when you think things are a disaster – think again!