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Dig

Head Prospector

Valued Contributor
Opinionated
Contributor
+4

ADHD while SDRing

ADHD can been a super power and a major issue at the same time. It could get you to presidents club or fast-track you to a PIP.

I'm curious to learn if SDRs are telling their bosses about their condition or struggling alone. 

Also, any tips of finding success for SDRs with ADHD?

Is it wise to tell your boss you have ADHD?

Attached poll
*Voting in this poll no longer yields commission.
🎯 Career Development
🤠 Culture
👨‍🌾 SDR
19

24 comments

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CuriousFox
WR Officer
9
🦊
I’ve got it and I told my boss. I’ve had days where he would ask if I’d taken my meds that day. Which I hadn’t so the reminder would crack me up.

You do not have to disclose shit to anyone. It’s your choice. 
NoSuperhero
Politicker
1
BDR LEAD
no we don't.
hh456
Celebrated Contributor
8
sales
The world is not San Francisco. Keep that shit to yourself. Don't believe every commercial, hashtag campaign & ad you see saying company's have a pulse. They don't, they don't have a soul, they're ruthless. They don't care. Operate with that orientation in life.
RealPatrickBateman
Politicker
2
🔪Amateur Butcher🔪
This is Accurate AF 🎯
NoSuperhero
Politicker
3
BDR LEAD
I'd only suggest it after you've shown that you can manage your shit and when you say it to people they're like "OOOOOOOh that makes sense now". But never during the hiring process or the first few days of onboarding.

And that's IF you feel comfortable enough with your teammates to be vulnerable like that because vulnerability is awesome, DUH, but you really don't have to say shit to anyone.
FattySnacks
Politicker
2
Senior Account Executive
What do you have to gain from telling your boss?
What do you have to lose?
NoSuperhero
Politicker
2
BDR LEAD
Well if you're a little like me and ADHD has days for me where i can't concentrate on 15 secs of tiktok, and concentrating on sending a shitton of emails is not the best plan for that day, and rather have a day of dials where concentrating more than 2 mins on a prospect doesn't make sense. Then, it makes sense to be a little transparent about your issues.
Beans
Big Shot
2
Enterprise Account Executive
Depends on management.

OId school sales culture would look at it as a weakness, a great culture would be understanding and help work around it.

Either way I prefer to keep myself as private as possible. 
dwightyouignorantsale
Politicker
2
Account Executive
If it truly impacts your performance, then it’s worth it. If it’s more of an inconvenience to you getting your work done, then no.
SaaSyBee
Politicker
2
Founder
I don't have ADHD, but I do have an anxiety disorder and I tell my boss, my team, and everyone else because I think it helps provide context for some of my weird behaviors on my bad days.
thesecretsauce
Politicker
2
Business Development
As someone who has struggled with this, I’d ask myself some questions (I have shared with past managers about severe anxiety and performance)
Does it severely affect your ability to work?
How have you coped with it in the past?
Would your boss knowing actually help?
How close are you to your boss?
Are there any other things in your life that might be increasing your ADHD?
Have you worked with a mental health professional?
These are all things I would ask before you share.
SaaSguy
Tycoon
1
Account Executive
Up to you. I let my bosses know and I think it helps smooth over the fact I close deals but sometimes forget small things like updating next steps, etc. 
Wellss
Tycoon
1
Channel sales
I just think it depends on the situation. I don't think it will harm you in any way, but if your boss is a real d-bag then they could think you're using it as an excuse for having a bad month or something. As others have said, at the end of the day it's completely up to you. I don't think there's a wrong answer 
WomenWantMeFishFearMe
Politicker
1
AM
I have it. I think a lot of salesfolks do. I don't care to tell anyone, because A) it's obvious, and B) who cares? I still can do my job
Dig
Valued Contributor
0
Head Prospector
If you don't mind—I'm curious, in what way is it obvious?
WomenWantMeFishFearMe
Politicker
1
AM
I am very fidgety, and when we were in office I could never sit still at my desk. I love getting sidetracked, and I'm constantly going on tangents, but I'll be damned if I'm not their top performer most months. In reality, it's something my team has just seen in how I work and carry myself, but they don't mind. In fact, most like it, as it adds some color to the droning day to day work. So long as I know how to manage it, and work hard, no one minds.
Flippinghubs
Opinionated
1
Account Executive
You juicing larry? 
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
Perhaps this is my Canadian naïveté speaking, but if you're performing and have some trust and are comfortable disclosing, then I don't see harm and definitely see some good.

I'm quite sure ADHD is protected under most disability acts, (despite not being a disability) and as such could afford some protection should there be any issues (related to ADHD or not).
Dig
Valued Contributor
1
Head Prospector
Thanks for sharing this. However, it's certainly a disability, though it has its moments when it can be positive. Lots of people struggle with it, and it can affect personal and work life in a big way.
jefe
Arsonist
1
🍁
I hear you, I just don't like things that are more atypical making someone classified as 'disabled' - not a big fan of the label.

It certainly can be a struggle or a positive, there are just so many people that will paint anyone with a 'disability' with the same brush.
superhans
Executive
1
Senior Sales Consultant
Assuming you have an addy script? I swear I wouldn’t have a job without one, but I mostly keep that ish to myself.
Oden
Valued Contributor
1
Account Executive
I disclose right after getting hired that I have a writing disability. It explain how I manage it and the reasonable accommodations I need. Legally the employer must provide them. Simple shit like call recorders and email templates and I’ll ask help with proofreading of any critical writing. It catches me in slack chats when I don’t proof read. So by telling people they know I’m not illiterate. In the US I’m protected, you can’t get fired for a disability and would have an airtight case if they do.
A good manager would rather know weaknesses of the team and manage for them.
If ADHD is severe and noticeable I would have a conversation, make sure it’s on the record. If I didn’t say anything and didn’t request help, I could get fired for the consequences and have no recourse.
Flippinghubs
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
You jucing Larry? 
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
No.  Companies do not want to deal with bullshit.  They have their own bullshit to worry about.

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