🤝 TEAMWORK
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
Teamwork is the dance of shared energy, purpose, and support. It’s where strengths combine and gaps are bridged. For ADHDers—who may feel like the odd one out, the forgetful one, or the disruptor—teamwork can be both deeply healing and deeply challenging.
In the ADHD terrain, teamwork thrives when difference is embraced. You might bring creativity, energy, or bold ideas to a group—qualities that sparkle in collaborative settings when there’s safety and structure. But past experiences of being misunderstood or micromanaged can make group work feel like a trap instead of a gift.
Living this value means recognising that interdependence isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. It means learning how to co-regulate with others, communicate your needs, and let yourself belong. It’s choosing collaboration over competition, contribution over comparison.
Teamwork also means asking: What role do I play best? Not everyone needs to lead. Not everyone needs to be the detail person. ADHDers often shine in brainstorming, empathising, energising—and with the right support, in completing. Teamwork is about mutual flourishing.
🧭 The HOPE Trail Map
- Helps or Harms: Is this dynamic helping me show up fully—or making me shrink or mask?
- Own My Values: I want to be someone who builds with others, not in spite of them.
- People and Pursuits: Who sees the value I bring to the team? What collaborations light me up instead of burning me out?
- Enact and Evaluate: Today, I’ll ask for input, share credit, or offer support—honouring the power of “we.”
⚠️ Trail Challenges
- ADHD-related shame may lead to hiding in teams or avoiding them entirely.
- Sensory sensitivity or executive dysfunction can complicate teamwork logistics.
- Past rejection can make trust and vulnerability in teams difficult.
🪧 Trail Markers: Small Steps Toward Teamwork
- Acknowledge someone’s contribution—out loud.
- Ask, “How can I help?” instead of assuming your value must be proven.
- Clarify your strengths in a group—own what you bring, and what you need.
🔥 Campfire Questions for Reflection
- When have I felt like a truly valued teammate?
- What does healthy, empowering teamwork look like for me?
- How can I lean into collaboration without losing myself?
Teamwork isn’t about fitting in—it’s about showing up. Your way of thinking, working, and being belongs in the circle too.
