Leaning into Strengths
Chua Ee Chien is a revenue and Go-to-Market strategy (GTM) leader whose ADHD diagnosis brought new clarity. With experience in entrepreneurship, F&B, fintech, and high-growth conferences, he helps ventures grow by linking ideas and people across industries. Outside of work, he writes about leadership, life experiences, faith and ADHD, sharing his journey of leaning into strengths and encouraging others to embrace their own ways of thinking.
Quotes
“For people with ADHD, passion and interest are not just nice to have, they are essential. When I’m deeply interested in something, I can hyperfocus, get into flow, and execute at a high level. But when that interest isn’t there, no amount of external pressure or structure can fully compensate.”
“That ability to zoom out and think across functions comes naturally to me because of the way my brain works. I may not be the deepest expert in any one thing, but I bring a wide lens and the flexibility to adapt and lead in complex environments.”
“Instead of focusing on what people with ADHD struggle with, we should focus on where they excel and how to support them in those areas. People with ADHD can be powerful contributors, but they need to be seen, understood, and given the right conditions to thrive.”
Early Signs of ADHD
Looking back, the signs of ADHD were there from a young age. I took a test as a child, but doctors didn’t diagnose me at the time. It wasn’t until much later in life that the diagnosis became clear. The turning point came when I entered the working world. I consistently struggled to stay focused, got easily distracted, and missed details despite my best efforts. It wasn’t laziness or carelessness. In fact, I was often putting in more effort than others just to keep up. But certain tasks didn’t align with how my brain naturally worked; I wasn’t built to approach them the conventional way. Realising this helped me accept ADHD and begin identifying my true strengths.
Challenges and Turning Points
One of my biggest ADHD challenges is finishing tasks, especially when they don’t hold my interest. I remember a manager once gave me a book on how to be more productive and follow through on tasks. Ironically, I never finished reading it. Not because I didn’t want to improve, but because it simply didn’t hold my attention.
That experience stuck with me. It made me realise something crucial about how my brain works. For people with ADHD, passion and interest are not just nice to have, they are essential. When something truly interests me, I hyperfocus, enter a state of flow, and perform at a high level. But when that interest isn’t there, no amount of external pressure or structure can fully compensate.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to stop forcing myself into a mold that wasn’t made for me. Instead, I’ve learned to lean into my strengths. Instead of fighting the current, I now align my work and life with what energises me. As the saying goes, you can’t teach a fish to climb a tree—but let it swim, and it will thrive.
Strategies for Focus and Productivity
One of the biggest game changers for me has been AI. It helps bridge the gap between big-picture thinking and the step-by-step execution that people with ADHD often struggle with. I think in broad strokes and abstract ideas, so using AI to break tasks into smaller steps has helped me stay focused and make progress.
Another simple but effective strategy is going analogue. Digital to-do lists don’t work for me because screens distract me too easily. Instead, I use pen and paper. Writing things down helps me think more clearly, and crossing off completed tasks feels truly satisfying. It keeps me present, focused, and just a little more in control of the day.
Strengths and Achievements
One of the things I’ve come to truly value is my ability to think like a generalist. ADHD has given me a brain that naturally jumps across ideas, connects unrelated dots, and sees patterns across different domains. While that used to feel like a weakness in a world that often rewards deep focus in a single area, I’ve come to realise it is a strength, especially in management.
As a manager, I need to understand how different parts of the business fit together, how people work, and how systems interact. That ability to zoom out and think across functions comes naturally to me because of the way my brain works. I may not be the deepest expert in any one thing, but I bring a wide lens and the flexibility to adapt and lead in complex environments. That is something I am proud of and something I am continuing to build on in my career.
Advice to my Younger Self
Lean into what you’re good at and keep developing that. When you have ADHD, it’s easy to hear more about what you’re not good at than what you are. That often begins in school, where the system isn’t designed to support neurodiverse ways of thinking. Over time, that can chip away at your confidence and make you feel like you’re always falling short.
What I would tell my younger self is this – that the things that people label as weaknesses might be your biggest strengths. You just need to understand how your mind works and figure out how to use it to your advantage. Trust that the way you think has value. You don’t need to be like everyone else to succeed. You just need to be more of yourself.
Changing how the World sees ADHD in the Workplace
ADHD deserves to be recognised for what it truly is. It does come with real challenges, and in some ways, it can be a handicap. But that is only one side of the story. The other side is that people with ADHD also have unique strengths, whether it’s creativity, energy, big-picture thinking, or the ability to connect ideas in ways others may not see. What the world needs to do is shift its perspective.
Instead of focusing on what people with ADHD struggle with, we should focus on where they excel and how to support them in those areas. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. The key is to help people build on what they’re good at and give them the space to shine. With the right support and understanding, people with ADHD can thrive and make a powerful impact.
Where I am Today
I’m in a place where I’m learning to fully embrace who I am – ADHD and all. I’ve built a career that spans different industries, from running my own bar to working in tech and business development. Today, I lead commercial efforts across multiple high-growth conferences and ventures. I’ve come to appreciate that my ability to switch gears, juggle different roles, and think across disciplines is one of my biggest strengths.
Outside of work, I write regularly, especially on LinkedIn, where I share my reflections on leadership, work, and navigating life with ADHD. I’m also passionate about helping others find their voice and path, especially those who may not fit the traditional mould. Life isn’t perfect, but it’s full, and I’m learning how to live it in a way that feels more honest and aligned with who I really am.
Support the ADHD Community
If you’d like to read more stories like these, consider donating $150 or more to receive a copy of our book, Differently Wired Minds as a thank-you. Limited quantities available.
Your donation helps Unlocking ADHD provide counselling, psychoeducation, and other vital support services to those affected by ADHD.
Special thanks to our sponsors whose generous support made this book possible:
MINDSET, Singapore Pools, Chua Foundation, Hyphens Pharma
Leave a Reply