FuturExec: The Academy - Spotlight on…Cally Wright, HR Generalist

In our latest interview in our ‘FuturExec: The Academy - Spotlight on...’ series, we speak to Cally Wright, a HR Generalist and a member of our London FuturExec: The Academy programme, who is currently looking for her next role. Here, James Roberts who is supporting Cally with her search, speaks to her about her career to date, her ADHD diagnosis and promoting neurodiversity in the workplace.

Why did you choose a career in HR?

I decided it was time to move on from my Buying and Merchandising career to study Counselling and to explore an alternative career choice. However, upon deciding counselling wasn’t for me right now, I thought about how I could best put those skills to use in the workplace and combine them with my interest in business strategy, which subsequently lead me into HR.

You’re very open about your ADHD diagnosis and promoting neurodiversity in the workplace. How do you go about disclosing this at an interview?

It depends if I feel it’s relevant. I disclosed it once when I received some constructive criticism that I felt directly related to my ADHD, and I still got the job. Ultimately, no one should be ashamed of their diagnosis, but nor should they let it define who they are.

There have been a few people in the public eye discussing their recent ADHD diagnosis in the media which surely is a good thing. How did you go about being diagnosed?

I got diagnosed quickly (2-3 months in total). A friend told me about the “right to choose”, which is a piece of legislation within the NHS that enables you to choose where you receive your health care. I then chose to be referred to Psychiatry UK, a private psychiatric service that has contracts with the NHS. The waiting list is longer now due to larger numbers of referrals; however, I still recommend going down this route as it is quicker that local waiting lists, and there are other private providers that accept NHS referrals as well.

What benefits do neurodiverse employees bring to the workplace?

A huge benefit that neurodiverse employees bring to the workplace is outside-the-box thinking. This enables businesses to be more innovative when problem solving, making decisions, developing processes, products and strategies. Other benefits are (but not limited to), hyper focus (very strong concentration) on projects and details, strong recall of information and knowledge, often strong loyalty, and the list goes on!

What impact does ADHD have on you as an employee and what considerations should employers make?

ADHD means that I have to focus closely on my organisation, meaning I have systems in place such as calendars to do lists, spreadsheets and so on, to ensure I stay on track. It also means I have to try harder to recognise my achievements and not to take all mistakes or lack of progress as personal failures. I think employers should take care to ensure that all constructive criticism and feedback is given very clearly and concisely. Details, especially those regarding professional development or communication, that aren’t clarified clearly, make progress or improvements in the workplace more challenging for neurodiverse individuals.

Are there any misconceptions about ADHD you would like to dispel?

ADHD people aren’t inherently lazy, hyperactive, or extremely disorganised. We just have to try a lot harder to get these things under control! Our minds are often racing behind the scenes, which can make it challenging to filter out information and focus the same way neurotypical people do. Often, people with ADHD are highly organised and detail oriented because they’ve taught themselves coping skills to compensate for the natural deficit.

What is the best piece of career advice you have received?

Sometimes, the best thing you can do to further your career is to move on from a workplace. Not everywhere is going to be right for everyone, and this is okay. Sticking it out doesn’t mean all the hard work will pay off in the long run, because often the crucial opportunities aren’t there. The challenge is recognising when it is the right time, and to do what’s best for you.

Find out more

To find out more about our programme, please click here.

If you would like to nominate anyone from your HR team to join The Academy or find out how you can support the programme by speaking at future events, please get in touch using the details below:
James Roberts
07506 755 553
jroberts@mdhr.co.uk