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This is Neuro Diverse Diary! The weekly Newsletter for professionals with Neuro Differences. It’s that time for another insight into our different world!

CONTEXT

"Thanks Frank"

I've faced a fair share of embarrassment in my neurodivergent career (before diagnosis in particular). Alas, they have given me my best learnings and experiences. One of them was on note-taking.

At one meeting, my boss was away on annual leave, so I attended the meeting with their boss 'Frank' the Executive Director and he was 'on it'.

We met with our overseas colleagues over a project from another region. I thought because Frank was with me, he'd manage the show.

During this meeting, I saw him jot some notes and he observed that I wasn't taking notes. In my head, I thought I understood what I heard... I f*cked up, and he 'checkmated' me.

At the next team meeting, Frank asked me in front of everyone, "So ADHD Exec, can you share with the team what was discussed in yesterday's team meeting?"

In my head, I'm thinking "F*ck!" So I talk through what I can remember from the meeting. To be honest it was a wishy-washy overview that I gave. Frank correctly sticks it on me and says "Mate you need to start taking notes"

This was all before I knew I had ADHD.

He was right, and I agreed. Even though I had zero interest in what they were talking about in that meeting as it wasn't in my remit. I guess it looked like I was being 'lazy', and ‘inattentive’.

Frank then gives me the heads up that he'll be going on holiday for the next project meeting and expects me to lead the next meeting and provide an update to our finance team upon his return.

So my challenge was how to pay attention and take notes for project meetings that I had no interest in. But if you know me, I like a challenge.

DEEP DIVE

The neurodivergent's note-taking tactics:

See below for the strategies I used and still use to help me finesse my note-taking, so I never face that embarrassment AGAIN:

1. Prepare and send an agenda

2. Active Listening and questioning

3. Concise Notes; Less is more

4. Quick Summary

5. Follow Through

1) Prepare and send an agenda

Prior to each meeting/presentation I lead, I send the attendees an agenda, or bullet points on topics that we'll discuss in the meeting.

• This allows for a coherent discussion with all parties,

• We stay on track

• This helps me mentally structure my thoughts

• It enables me to preempt potential questions as I go along

2) Active Listening and questioning

Mentally I would've prepared the questions to ask following on from the point above.

During the meetings, I won't hold back. I'll ask questions along the way, asking people to repeat themselves if I haven't understood a concept or I'm not following.

I use interrupting phases like :

• "That's a lot of info, just so I'm following correctly, you're saying...?"

• "Sorry, I'm not sure I got that. Can you say that again please?"

3) Concise Notes; Less is more:

I use to try and write down every word that was spat out from the mouths of all meeting members. Sometimes I still didn't understand what was going on and I missed the point for two main reasons:

• My brain and working memory are not wired to do that

• I missed a lot of things in the process (attentional blinks). As I'm writing what person A just said, person B has started a new sentence, and it's just a mental madness!

I need to write to and for my brain.

My brain thrives off imagery, and associations. So I write notes like I'm writing ideas. As long as I have my "active listening" on, I can write down my notes as short as a sentence while maintaining the comprehension. "A word is enough for the wise"

4) Quick summary

As the meeting comes to a close, just recap what you've gone through. Ensuring all parties are aligned and signing from the same hymn sheet. This is the opportunity to iron out any discrencies or things you have missed out on.

My closing phases are:

• "Key things are" x, y, z

• "Please let me know if I've missed anything out"

5) Follow Through

Literally, this step is putting point 4) in writing, on email. Just for future reference and to cover your a$$es incase there are any f*ckups. At least it can’t be pinned down to your misunderstanding or miscommunication.

"If it's not documented, it didn't happen"

A boost to my dopamine levels when my stakeholders respond with a “Thanks” in the email

For the record, Frank came back from holiday, I gave the team a summary on the project meeting and Frank was impressed.

More resources for taking notes below as a neurodivergent

RECAP

1. Our neurodivergent brains are different, we should understand our differences and play to our strengths

2. Utilise the keys words, phases to ensure that you're on track

3. "If it's not documented it didn’t happen" Document your meeting notes

MEME OF THE WEEK

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