The ADHD Advantage with Leanne Gawley

If you’re a high-achieving woman who feels constantly behind no matter how hard you try…

You’re not alone.

And you’re not the problem.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!!

I am so excited to announce another step forward in my business.

Five years ago, I started Leanne Gawley Executive Coaching from the ground up. At the time, the name made perfect sense. My clients were primarily leaders and executives, and it reflected the coaching training and work I was doing then.

Over the years, though, something became increasingly clear. When I reflect on my work, my clients, and the conversations I care most deeply about, it always comes back to ADHD and neurodivergence.

As a former executive with ADHD, and a mum to two incredible kids with ADHD, this is a space that is deeply personal to me. As my life evolved, so did my learning. I pursued ADHD coaching certification, DEI training, and other complementary approaches—initially for myself and my family, and naturally that growth found its way into my work with clients.

Over time, my practice evolved alongside that learning.

So it feels like the right moment for the name to evolve too.

Leanne Gawley Executive Coaching is now The ADHD Advantage with Leanne Gawley.

I’m thrilled that the name now reflects more clearly the work I do and the community I care deeply about supporting.

Because brilliant minds, especially those wired differently, deserve environments where they can truly thrive

International Women’s Day is everywhere today.

Posts. Panels. Hashtags. Branded graphics.

And, like most years since 2001, there are two 'themes' circulating. So let's talk about it.

One comes from the marketing organization that runs the popular IWD website.
The other comes from the United Nations and the World Health Organization, tied to the Commission on the Status of Women.

One tends to be easy for organizations to celebrate. And so cute!
The other pushes for systemic, political, and legal change. So hard - and also where s**t gets real.

Don't kid yourself. These are NOT the same things.

One centers celebration and corporate participation.
The other centers structural barriers, rights, and accountability.
Take a read, and then, because I'm curious... which one did your organization support this year? What about galas and awards? What was their theme? What about what was discussed in the educational institutions around you?

These boots tell a story.

Last night we ordered Uber Eats. The kids had a friend over for a sleepover, so ordering dinner felt like the easy choice.

Then the driver called. He was stuck in the mud and our order would be delayed.

Something about the situation didn’t sit right with my husband and I, so we decided to go look for him. Neither of us were willing to sit at home knowing someone might be stuck out there alone.

We drove around our area for nearly four hours, staying in contact with him by phone trying to figure out where he was. Meanwhile, my kids kept calling and texting to check in — not to ask about the food, but to ask if the driver was okay.

Around 11:30 pm we finally found him on a construction road covered in wet clay.

The driver was an elderly gentleman who had previously had a stroke and had limited mobility. He had tried to get out of the car and had fallen in the mud.

He couldn’t even wear his shoes anymore.

We helped him through the clay and into our car so we could take him somewhere warm while his family came to meet him.

He was nearly head to toe in mud.

So was my husband.

We decided to take him to the nearby Tim Hortons so he could clean up and get something warm.

But Tim Hortons was closed.

The only place open was the Shell station next door.

I haven’t stepped into a Shell since I left the company. My experience there ended after severe workplace bullying, and when I reported it, I wasn’t believed. It was deeply traumatic.

But it was the only place open.

My husband went in first.

The employee immediately asked, “What happened?” When he heard the story, he didn’t hesitate. He brought them inside, showed them to a large washroom so the driver could properly clean up, washed the driver’s glasses, and offered coffee while we waited for family to arrive.

I can say a lot of things about Shell.

But what I won’t deny is that there are good people everywhere.

Uber’s response to their stranded driver? They gave him a tow truck number and hung up.

But this story isn’t really about Uber. Or Shell. Or us. It’s about human kindness.

Sometimes humanity shows up in the most unexpected places.

And these boots will always remind me how far a little kindness can go.

Leadership wasn’t designed for every brain and many high-performing women pay the price.

Today I’m excited to announce the launch of a 7-part series called 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 as part of my brand new newsletter, 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗪𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆.

Over the next several weeks, I’ll be unpacking why success can quietly turn into survival — and what it takes to redesign leadership so it includes more cognitive styles.

Part 1 is live on LinkedIn - the link is in the comments.

If this conversation resonates, I’d love for you to follow along.

You’ve heard the struggles. But have you heard the strengths?

ADHD doesn’t just mean distractibility, procrastination, or forgetfulness.

It also means:
✔️ Lightning-fast problem solving
✔️ Deep empathy
✔️ Creative brilliance
✔️ Hyperfocus in the right environment
✔️ Resilience from navigating challenge after challenge

And that’s just the beginning.

Swipe through for 7 hidden strengths of ADHD that most people overlook—and might just be your superpowers in disguise.

You don’t need to “fix” yourself. You need tools, space, and support that work with how your brain is wired.

Whether you’re late-diagnosed, parenting someone with ADHD, or navigating it in the workplace—I see you. You’re not broken. You’re brilliant.

If money feels harder than it “should” — you’re not alone.

This week on 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗮 (SiriusXM Canada Talks Ch 167), I’m talking about ADHD and money management: why willpower isn’t the answer and how to work 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 your brain instead of 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 it.

If you’d like something gentle and practical to support you after listening, I’ve designed a free ADHD-friendly resource you can download here: 👉 www.leannegawley.ca and our next ADHD working cohort starts in just a couple of weeks - join us!

📻 Listen live on Moolala - SiriusXM Canada Talks (Channel 167)
🗓 Saturday, January 10 @10 AM, 6PM & 11PM EST, and always on the Sirius XM App!

Bruce Sellery

Leanne Gawley Executive Coaching - For An Empowered Tomorrow Executive & ADHD Coaching for authentic leadership, personal growth, career advancement and more! Start your journey to personal and professional success today.

People often ask what it’s like to work with me.

This is the most honest answer I have.
Not outcomes. Not guarantees.
But the way the work is held.

I work with late-diagnosed women, professionals, leaders, and parents who are carrying more than is visible.

People who’ve spent years compensating, masking, and quietly telling themselves they should be coping better...often while supporting children with ADHD at the same time.

I don’t optimize people at the expense of their nervous system. I don’t treat ADHD as a productivity flaw or a personality brand. And I don’t fix individuals for systems that keep creating the same strain.

If this felt steady, clarifying, or relieving — you don’t need to act on it.

Just notice what didn’t require you to brace.

🎙️ Big news!!

I’m heading to ’s with Bruce Sellery.

We’re diving into a topic that almost never gets talked about honestly: ADHD and money.

Not spreadsheets.
Not “just be disciplined.”
Not shame disguised as advice.

We’re talking about:
⚡ why smart, successful people with ADHD still struggle with money
⚡ how dopamine, impulsivity, avoidance, and burnout show up financially
⚡ why most financial systems fail neurodivergent brains
⚡ and what actually works instead

This conversation is personal — as an executive, an ADHD coach, and someone diagnosed later in life who knows exactly how heavy the money shame can feel.

If you’ve ever thought:
“I make good money… so why does this still feel so hard?”
This one’s for you.

I’ll share the episode when it airs — and I can’t wait for this conversation to land.

What an amazing last few days at the conference. I had the honour of being a panelist on the DEI: Raw and Real chat and teaching a workshop on Coaching for Belonging. This is my all time favourite event, without question. Working with the organizing team, who really are the best group of people, and reconnecting with attendees from previous years as well as meeting new friends is the soul work that keeps me going when things get difficult. Huge thank you to .concepts for everything you do - your time, energy, mentorship and friendship. The care you put into the planning and the insurmountable background work to make this what it is - I have no words ❤️

To all of the organizing committee, it was a true pleasure to bring this together with all of you.

To the new friends and reconnecting with folks I haven’t seen since the last one - my heart is full. Thank you for being who you are.

With love and gratitude,
Leanne

Speaking at the conference today was a blast! Loved the questions and learning from my fellow panelists 💕 .concepts

I was fortunate to collaborate with an amazing group of coaches and change makers today as I prepare to unveil the next phase of me and my business - look out world! 😊💥👌💕