Get yourself some Hannahs!

This blog is dedicated to all neurodivergent entrepreneurs, freelancers, business owners, and those contemplating the leap into self-employment.

I enjoy plays on words. One word that offers a fascinating duality is ‘executive’.

In the business world, ‘executive’ has a rich set of high-status meanings, conjuring images of autonomy and power in an organisation.

In the autistic and ADHD world, 'executive' has different and generally negative meanings. You may hear people talking about executive dysfunction; this refers to gaps in the critical brain skills that make ‘adulting’ possible. PinkGold talks about The Twelve, but there are many ways of categorising executive function.

Here are The PinkGold Twelve:

1.     Sense of time

2.     Working memory

3.     Starting tasks

4.     Switching tasks

5.     Prioritising

6.     Planning tasks and projects

7.     Organising and finding things again

8.     Adapting to change

9.     Emotional regulation

10.   Impulse control

11.   Regulating attention

12.   Thinking about thinking (metacognition)

These 12 categories resonate deeply with my personal work challenges because my executive dysfunction affects them all to differing extents.

Each category of executive function demands a unique management approach – some require clever hacks, others need dedicated effort, and some? Well, they need a Hannah!

The Hannahs

I have two Hannahs who provide essential support. I could call them Support Workers, but in the business world, it’s much better to call them Executive Assistants because that term already has an understood and valued meaning. It is also literally true in that they assist where my executive dysfunction is most problematic at work.

Let’s take one of the Hannahs, Hannah Retallick. In common with the best Exec Assistants, she has a rich life beyond the role. She's not only an assistant – she's a multi-dimensional professional: a published, award-winning author, editor, tutor, and musician.

Every morning, Hannah orientates me and makes sure I am set up for the working day. Her work includes supporting me with all twelve areas of executive function, ensuring my business's legal and operational foundations are secure.

For those who know NeuDICE’s Ed the Duck and The EdTrials, a quick way to describe this Hannah is that she acts as ‘a human duck’.

Without Hannah, the challenges of the PinkGold Twelve would become insurmountable. I would be unable to function safely and sustainably in business.

Take home message

The purpose of this blog is to encourage other neurodivergent people to think about the PinkGold Twelve. If any of these areas are creating roadblocks in your professional journey, it's time to set aside pride and consider getting your own 'Hannah'—whatever form of support that might take.