Triangles in a World of Circles: Rethinking ADHD, Dyslexia and Mental Health

May 20, 2025
|In Article
|By Jess Webb

ADHD (formerly known as ADD) and dyslexia are incredibly common among leaders of fast-growing, entrepreneur-led companies. These neurodiverse traits are often paired with strengths like creativity, energy, and resilience—gifts that help drive innovation and bold action.

But with those gifts also come real challenges. People with ADHD and dyslexia often pay a price in stress, mental exhaustion, and burnout. That’s why I dedicated a portion of Chapter 3, Double Your Resilience, in Your Oxygen Mask First, to talk about these often-misunderstood conditions. And it’s why they’re a key part of this mental health series.

Triangles in a Circular World

Years ago, I co-created a website called GiftADD with my client and friend Nigel Bennett, to reframe how we view ADHD and dyslexia—not as disorders, but as powerful differences. In the archives, I recently came across the video below featuring Nigel’s son, Devon. In it, we talk about his struggles at school, despite having a sharp mind and strong spirit.

What made school hard for Devon wasn’t a lack of intelligence or potential—it was a system that didn’t understand how he thought and learned. Well-meaning teachers focused on trying to “fix” what wasn’t broken, and in doing so, they chipped away at his confidence.

In our conversation, Devon and I talked about how people with ADHD and dyslexia are more like triangles in a world designed for circles.

From an engineering perspective, triangles are stronger than circles. They distribute weight and stress more efficiently and are fundamental in building stable structures.

But in our society—and especially in our education system—we tend to reward people who are well-rounded, symmetrical, and “balanced.” We aim to raise perfect circles.

And when someone doesn’t fit that mold—like kids with ADHD or dyslexia—adults often try to reshape them. But you can’t mold a triangle into a circle without breaking something important.

As Sir Richard Branson (who is dyslexic) wisely said:

“We should stop trying to get all children to think the same way. We should support and celebrate all types of neurodiversity and encourage children’s imagination, creativity and problem solving—the skills of the future.”

When we try to fix what’s different, we rob people of the chance to thrive by being fully themselves.

Using Strengths and Filling Gaps

Watching that video of Devon now (who by the way, is now absolutely thriving in his career as an actor and performer), I’m struck by how far we’ve come—and how much further we still have to go.

Today, it’s more widely recognized that people with ADHD and dyslexia aren’t broken or deficient. In fact, they often possess powerful leadership qualities: a high tolerance for stress, risk-taking ability, sharp focus (in the right environment), and a unique way of solving problems.

In my experience, people with ADHD can thrive in leadership and entrepreneurial roles if they build teams that complement their talents, lean into their natural strengths, and create systems to fill the gaps.

But they must also proactively manage their energy and stress. That high-output mode can fuel success—until it leads to burnout.

An Interesting Take: Dr. Gabor Maté on ADHD

To better understand the roots of ADHD, I recommend the work of Dr. Gabor Maté, a thought leader on addiction, stress, and neurodiversity. In contrast to traditional beliefs, Dr. Maté suggests that ADHD isn’t purely genetic. His view:

  • It’s not about willpower or defects.

  • It’s about sensitivity, stress, and environment.

He explains that early stress—such as parental anxiety, emotional neglect, or poverty—can impair dopamine function and push a child’s brain into fight-or-flight mode. Over time, these survival adaptations can show up as the symptoms we label ADHD.

Here are some of Dr. Maté’s key insights:

  • ADHD is shaped more by early experiences than by DNA. It may run in families, but what’s inherited is sensitivity—not the condition itself.

  • The ADHD-Addiction Connection: People with ADHD are more prone to addiction, not because they lack willpower, but because they seek relief from chronic emotional stress.

  • It’s not about blame. Most families experience stress at some point. This isn’t about fault—it’s about understanding how our environments shape our minds.

You can hear more from Dr. Maté in his conversation with Mel Robbins on this podcast episode, where they explore ADHD, trauma, and healing.

A Challenge—and an Opportunity

If you know someone with ADHD or dyslexia—whether it’s a colleague, a friend, or a child—consider this:

How can you help them think like a triangle, not try to become a perfect circle?

Instead of trying to “round out” their rough edges, help them amplify their strengths, build systems around their gaps, and embrace the powerful architecture of who they are.

Resources

May is Mental Health Month, so here are some tools and supports you might find useful:

The Challenge

    • If you know someone with ADHD and/or dyslexia, how could you help them to think more like a triangle and leverage their strengths, rather than trying to be a well-rounded circle?

Other Blogs

Older Podcasts

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