Wondering if your boss has Executive ADD?
Symptoms include memory loss, both real and convenient, sudden irritation, fatigue and complaining, grumbling, mumbling and whining, denial of conversations and decisions that actually occurred, chronic lateness, double-standard syndrome, disorientation, inability to plan ahead, lack of focus for periods greater than 120 seconds and setting expectations unencumbered by reality.
If you’ve answered yes to three or more of these symptoms, there’s a good chance your boss is suffering from Executive ADD!
So this week, I asked a few folks tasked with managing top executives what they do to minimize the affects of Executive ADD and here are a few of the suggestions I received:
- Set clocks ahead 5-10 minutes AND change them periodically so the boss doesn’t adjust to it,
- Enter appointments earlier in the calendar than they really are,
- Hold meetings out of the office and away from phones and computer so he/she focuses,
- Know your boss’ focus rhythm – if he or she has an especially difficult time focusing first thing in the morning or right after lunch, schedule other tasks during these periods,
- If your boss won’t read a long email – don’t send a long email,
- Focus meetings on bite-sized and clearly defined outcomes,
- Allow your big thinking boss to focus on the big stuff, don’t burden him or her with details you can clear without them,
- Document discussions and project progress and start meetings with the review of what’s already been done (otherwise you may spend your time covering old ground),
- Provide your boss with checklists showing what you’ve done and subtly reminding him or her what’s on their list (sneaky but effective), and
- Reward executive obedience by giving your boss a little treat when they perform well – a piece of candy or kind word goes a long way to calming the executive mind.
Executive ADD is a serious frustration for millions of professions but following a few of these steps can make your workday go a little smoother.
