Leading with Curiosity: How Employers Can Support Work-Life Balance by Understanding Executive Functioning Challenges

Kristina Proctor
Oct 14
2 min read

When an employee seems to be struggling with work-life balance, the default assumption might be: “They’re overwhelmed.” But for adults with ADHD, the root of the issue is often more specific—and more addressable.

It may be a breakdown in executive functioning.

Instead of jumping to solutions, one of the most powerful things a leader can do is pause… and ask questions.

October 2025, Kristina Proctor, ADHD Coach @ Agave Health

Woman in a white top sits at a desk, hands clasped, in a modern office with city views. Leopard-print chair cover adds a stylish touch.

Why Executive Functioning Matters

Executive functioning refers to the mental skills we use to plan, focus, manage time, and follow through on tasks. In adults with ADHD, these skills are often impaired—not due to laziness or disinterest, but because of how their brains are wired.

That means:

They want to meet expectations.
They care about quality and collaboration.
But they may not have the internal systems that support consistent output or sustainable work-life boundaries.

Start With Curiosity, Not Assumptions

Before offering advice or implementing solutions, consider this: What’s the actual friction point?

Here are a few respectful, non-judgmental questions to open the conversation:

“When you’re juggling multiple tasks, what part feels the hardest to manage?”
“What’s something that tends to throw your day off track?”
“Are there certain types of tasks that drain your energy faster than others?”
“What helps you stay focused or transition between meetings and deep work?”
“When you’re working late, what’s usually causing the spillover?”

These questions invite reflection without pressure. And they help identify which executive function might need support:

Symptom	Possible Executive Function Challenge
Frequently working late	Time management or task initiation
Missed deadlines despite best efforts	Planning and prioritization
Emotional shutdown after feedback	Emotional regulation
Trouble shifting between meetings and tasks	Task switching or cognitive flexibility
Forgetting key details or next steps	Working memory

Tailor Support, Don’t Generalize

Once you have more clarity, the support becomes both more effective and more human:

Time management → Offer tools like calendar blocking or gentle accountability check-ins.
Task initiation → Break down assignments into first steps with clear starting points.
Emotional regulation → Normalize breaks after intense meetings and offer flexible recovery time.
Working memory → Use collaborative notes or summaries after meetings.

The Leadership Shift That Matters

As a leader, you don’t need to have all the answers—but you do need to ask the right questions.

By creating a space where employees feel safe to explore their own patterns, you’re helping them build a healthier relationship with their work and themselves.

And when people feel understood, they’re more likely to thrive—in work and in life.

Want to Learn More?

At Agave Health, we specialize in helping adults with ADHD build sustainable habits through executive functioning coaching. See how we support employers