Question 1

1. Why is "Who Not How" so much harder for the ADHD brain to implement?

Accepted Answer

It’s not a lack of discipline; it’s a matter of executive function. The ADHD brain struggles with sequencing—breaking a large goal into linear steps over time. When you ask "How do I do this project?", your brain gets overwhelmed by the cognitive load of organizing 50 invisible steps and hits the brakes (procrastination).

Furthermore, ADHD operators are often drawn to the dopamine hit of immediate problem-solving (the "Fixer" mode) rather than the delayed gratification of strategic planning. Shifting to "Who" requires bypassing that impulse and sitting in the discomfort of defining the outcome rather than doing the work.

Question 2

2. What if I don't have the budget to hire expensive senior talent right now?

Accepted Answer

"Who Not How" doesn't always mean hiring a six-figure executive. A "Who" is simply anyone or anything that is not you providing the leverage.

If you have clarity on the "What" (the outcome) and a clear Definition of Done, your "Who" could be a junior employee equipped with a solid SOP, a specialized contractor for a one-off project, or even an automation tool (like Zapier) that handles a manual workflow. The goal isn't to hire expensive people; the goal is to remove yourself as the bottleneck to execution.

Question 3

3. How do I stop micromanaging once I’ve handed something off?

Accepted Answer

Micromanagement among ADHD leaders is usually rooted in anxiety, perfectionism, or Object Impermanence (forgetting a project exists unless you are actively touching it).

To combat this, shift your focus from activity to outcomes. Instead of checking how they are doing the work, establish clear Monday/Friday bookend meetings. Align on priorities on Monday, then step back until the Friday review. If you feel the urge to jump in mid-week, write down your concern instead of acting on it immediately, and save it for the Friday check-in.

Question 4

4. What is the biggest mistake ADHD Operators make when trying this framework?

Accepted Answer

Based on the calls I have with clients, it is falling into the trap of the "Impulsive Who." Because the ADHD brain wants immediate relief from the pressure of a task, it’s tempting to hire the first virtual assistant you find and toss a vague project at them just to get it off your plate.

This almost always fails. Remember: You cannot outsource a process that doesn't exist. If you haven't taken the time to define the successful outcome and the constraints, you haven't actually delegated; you've just abdicated responsibility, and it will bounce back to you later with interest.

Question 5

5. I know I need to do this, but I’m too overwhelmed even to sit down and define the "What" for someone else. Where do I start?

Accepted Answer

This is the most common paralysis point for the ADHD Operator. You are stuck in a catch-22: you need help because you are overwhelmed, but you are too overwhelmed to define the help you need.

When your brain’s executive function is tapped out from firefighting, trying to sequence a project map feels physically impossible. This is where you need an external anchor—someone outside the whirlwind to help extract the information from your head and organize it.

You don’t have to draw the map alone.

If you are looking at your Captain’s Wheel and feel totally paralyzed by the gaps, this is exactly where we start in a COO Clarity Call. We spend 45 minutes cutting through the noise to identify the one spoke causing the most drag on your business right now, and we define the exact "Who" strategy to fix it.

Book Your Free Clarity Call

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