ADHD in the Workplace
Brooke Ingram, M.A, RP (Q)
Negotiation Techniques and Tactical Questions
Bob Kitcher, M.A, RP
The Key Measure of Strategy
WELCOME TO OUR FALL 2023 NEWSLETTER
It has been a beautiful Fall and we are all back to our regular work and school routines. Cooler and
wetter weather is ahead, and for some it means renewed attention to those personal and relationship
issues that they have been able to set aside over the summer.
In this Newsletter we have an article by Brooke Ingram, Psychotherapist. On ADHD in the Workplace an issue that has been getting greater attention over the last few months. Our other article is by Bob Kitcher on Negotiation Techniques and Tactical Questions, possibly useful in this time of difficult workplace negotiations.
If you or a family member are experiencing personal issues then your EAP can help you with address and manage conflict, burnout, grief, stress, anxiety, financial issues, and relationship difficulties. We provide services both in person and virtually, whichever you prefer, just give our Reception a call.
ADHD IN THE WORKPLACE
Brooke Ingram, M.A., RP (Q)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults has sometimes
been viewed as not that significant and often has been underdiagnosed.
Today, there is a greater understanding of the serious impacts
that ADHD can have on daily living and within the workplace. When
we think about ADHD, we often think about “hyper” children. However,
ADHD affects adults differently than children with symptoms
such as anxiety, lack of motivation, disorganization, procrastination,
and insomnia.
In the workplace, ADHD manifests with a disconnect between efforts
put forth and abilities and achievement. For most people increased
effort results in increased ability and achievement. However, individuals
with ADHD find that their most productive times take the least
amount of effort. That is due to being more emotionally invested in
the task so that accessing mental abilities takes less effort. Therefore,
for an individual with ADHD, ability is often dependent on emotion,
whether that be positive emotions such as interest, respect, and caring;
or negative emotions such as guilt or shame. (Fuermaier et al., 2021)
What is ADHD?
ADHD is classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-5) under Neurodevelopmental Disorders. ADHD is
considered a lifespan disorder, meaning that people will have it permanently.
Challenges that may be faced in a work-related situation
are poor memory, boredom, time management issues, distractibility by
internal and external sources, difficulty managing long-term projects,
attention to detail, procrastination, and difficulty with interpersonal
and social skills (Robbins & Ratajczak-Mrozek, 2017).
Quick tips to manage ADHD
- Divide larger assignments into several smaller tasks
- Provide a checklist of assignments
- Use calendars to emphasize due dates
- Set a timer to make an alarm after assigning ample time to complete a task
- Develop a colour-coded system for organization
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Why therapy?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is regarded as one of the most effective psychological treatments for ADHD. CBT supports individuals with breaking down cognitive distortions and focuses on the connection between self-identity and stability of interpersonal relations. The objective of CBT is to provide strategies for identifying and modifying dysfunctional cognitions (thoughts) and patterns (behaviours) as well as to create awareness of susceptibility factors. (Philipsen, 2012). Additionally, CBT helps individuals identify automated thinking and to clarify cognitive errors so that they can generate adaptive (positive) thinking. Additionally, CBT is known to be effective in treating comorbid symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
The Goals of CBT are to form better behavioural models, redirect emotions and actions, and ultimately achieve symptom improvement (Pan et al., 2019).
Some things to expect from CBT:
- Learning adaptive basic cognitive and behavioural techniques
- Identifying, evaluating, and modifying automatic thoughts
- Integrating mindfulness
- Modifying maladaptive belief systems
- Reducing the frequency and intensity of negative emotions
- Practicing self-soothing and relaxation behaviours (Beck, 2021)
Beck, J. S. (2021). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (3rd ed.). The Guilford Press.
Randall Robbins, Milena Ratajczak-Mrozek. (2017) The untapped potential of the ADHD employee in the workplace, Cogent Business & Management, 4:1
Fuermaier, A. B. M., Tucha, L., Butzbach, M., Weisbrod, M., Aschenbrenner, S., & Tucha, O. (2021). ADHD at the workplace: ADHD symptoms, diagnostic status, and work-related functioning. Journal of Neural Transmission, 128(7), 1021–1031.
Philipsen, A. (2012). Psychotherapy in adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: implications for treatment and research. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 12(10), 1217–1225.
Brooke Ingram, M.A., RP (Q) is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) who provides services through the EAP, WSIB, and privately. Brooke’s area of strength include psychotherapy to address trauma, attachment issues, stress, anxiety, depression, and strengthening relationships. Brooke has a particular interest in helping individuals heal from adverse childhood experiences and trauma.
Did you know...
→Appointments are scheduled at a time that is convenient for you and usually within two to three days?
→No one at your place of employment will know that you have used your EAP unless you tell them?
→Counselling is provided for a broad range of services, including marital and relationship; parenting; stress; separation/divorce trauma; workplace; and personal issues?
→Counsellors can help you access community resources and support groups?
→A comprehensive description of the services provided through your EAP is available through your EAP brochure or on our website at www.qxplore.com?
The Key Measure of Strategy
The key measure of strategy is its relative simplicity.
Tactics are detailed. Strategy should be straightforward insofar as it represents the main thrust of your imperatives. Excessive complexity represents uncertainty or, worse, a group of strategic imperatives that outstrip your ability to understand or execute.
If you have an excess of strategic goals, then you have not made the difficult choices on what matters and what doesn’t. Complexity represents an unwillingness to make those decisions.
Deception is a tactical matter. Self-deception is a strategic failure.
Only so much can be done. Understanding priorities without ambiguity while resisting the creeping expansion of strategy is the indispensable craft of the strategist.
Adapted from Geopolitical Futures, Facing Reality: A New American Strategy,
By George Friedman August 17, 2021
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Negotiation Techniques and Tactical Questions
Bob Kitcher, M.A., RP
It might be surprising to learn that many of the best negotiation tactics are based on psychotherapy motivational interviewing techniques. (Or is it visa versa?) It is all about asking the right questions in the right way at the right time.
Beginning
The first step is to develop a working relationship. A positive tone of voice is your default voice. Slow down. Show a genuine interest. Take your time getting to know the person. Put a smile on your face whenever possible. Empathize by labelling emotions.
It seems like__________
It sounds like _________
It looks like _________
Identifying Issues and goals
The psychotherapist helps the client identify the issue to be addressed and then helps to establish the goal. The issue needs to be clear so that the goal of therapy can also be clear and specific. The goal should be optimistic, reasonable, and clearly defined.
In negotiation the same is true, before going into a negotiation identify your issue and then set an optimistic but reasonable goal. Write it down, discuss it with colleagues and carry the goal into the negotiation.
Issue determination: Questions and Labeling
To identify issues a psychotherapist asks questions to help the client understand the problem; reflects the answers back to the client; helps refine and label the issues; deals with emotions; helps determine what is reasonable or unreasonable; explores beliefs, fears and biases; and helps establish the realm of possibilities.
The same is true in negotiation; like psychotherapy the initial part of the process is to obtain as much information as possible from your counterpart by asking questions to identify and deal with your counterpart’s objectives, limitations, fears and biases.
Calibrated questions reveal information, value, and help overcome potential deal killers
- What are we trying to accomplish?
- What are the core issues here?
- What is the biggest challenge you face?
- How can we solve this problem?
- How would you like to proceed?
- How can I help make this better for us?
- What about this doesn’t work for you?
- What does doing nothing cost you?
Labelling your counterparts statements show that you understand where they are coming from.
- It seems like ___________ is valuable to you.
- I t seems you are worried that ________________.
- It seems like _______________ is important
Changing is Hard. Dealing with No
When coming up against resistance or a “No”, asking respectful, probing questions helps the client or you and your negotiation counterpart find the edges of a way forward to agreement
- What about this doesn’t work for you?
- What would you need to make it work?
- It seems like there is something here that bothers you.
- How am I supposed to do that?
Other Interested Parties
Sometimes it is not the person you are dealing with that is throwing up resistance but someone else who has an interest in the outcome like a partner or group or workplace. Useful questions are:
- How would this affect your partner (your team)?
- How can we address their issues?
- What does your workplace see as their main challenge in this area?
Cementing the Plan and Facilitating Execution
After agreement is reached it is important to cement that agreement in place by first summarizing the plan or agreement to make sure there is a clear mutual understanding. Then by asking these questions and exploring answers actual follow through is encouraged and, later on, progress can be evaluated. Summarize their answers until you get a “That’s right”.
- What are the next steps to make this happen?
- How will we know we are on track?
Many of the tactical questions in this article, and many more questions along with innovative negotiation and mediation techniques can be found in Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if your Life Depended on it , 2016, by Chris Voss with Tahl Raz.
Bob Kitcher, M.A. RP is the Managing Director of the Qxplore Group of companies which includes Quinte Counselling Services, Quinte Assessment and Treatment Group, Qxplore Inc. and Quinte Decompression and Pain Clinic.
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