When Your ADHD Shows Up on Stage: A Lesson in Vulnerability and Validation

May 23
2 min read

Updated: May 26

By Brooke Schnittman, MA, PCC, BCC

Brooke Schnittman speaking about neurodiversity to Capital One leaders.

Last week, I had the honor of speaking to over 800 Capital One leaders about a topic that lives at the core of who I am: Neurodiversity at Work: Unlocking Strengths and Embracing Differences.

It was a powerful moment, one of those times when the preparation, pressure, passion, and purpose all swirl together in a way that feels like electricity. And also… one of those moments when my ADHD showed up, uninvited and on full display.

"What I thought was a moment of failure became a mirror."

Despite months of planning and collaboration, I made edits to my slides right up until the deadline. Sound familiar, ADHDers?

That hyperfocus kicked in, and suddenly nothing else mattered, just refining, perfecting, and shaping the talk so it felt right.

And honestly? It was right.

The talk flowed. The audience was engaged. The chat was buzzing with affirmations, laughter, and the collective exhale of being understood.

But then, at the very end, during the final Q&A… I lost my train of thought. TWICE!

Not just a tiny “uh” or a momentary pause. My mind blanked in front of hundreds of people. And for a second, maybe two, I wanted the floor to swallow me whole.

Audience chat showing support and relatability during Brooke’s presentation.

But here’s what happened instead: the chat lit up with kindness. What I thought was a stumble turned into a spotlight on shared humanity.

My moment of embarrassment validated someone else’s experience. My vulnerability permitted others to be human, too.

"Authenticity builds bridges. Vulnerability invites connection."

Here’s the truth we need to keep shouting from every rooftop, boardroom, and Zoom call:

Neurodivergent brains bring strengths and also struggles. And both are worthy of space.

ADHD isn’t just about being distracted. It’s about regulation. It’s the beautiful paradox of autonomy and structure, creativity and overwhelm, hyperfocus and forgetfulness.

And leadership that truly honors neurodiversity must recognize all of it, not just the productivity highs.

Reframing ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent traits from a deficit to a strength model.

The feedback from the Capital One team? Overwhelmingly positive.

People resonated with the reframing of challenges as strengths. They saw themselves and their teammates with new eyes.

"You didn’t fail. You connected. And that is everything."

If you’re reading this and thinking, “That would’ve been me too,” I see you.

If you’re afraid your neurodivergence makes you less professional, I challenge you to redefine what professional even means.

If you’ve ever panicked after a presentation, thinking you blew it because your brain zigged when it should’ve zagged, I promise you, you didn’t fail. You showed up as you. And that is powerful.

This experience reminded me that our mistakes, our stumbles, our human moments… they’re often the most relatable, healing parts of what we offer.

Especially in a world that tells us to mask, to blend, to fit.

Let’s stop fitting. Let’s start belonging.