367 | Embracing Why You Are - Perspectives From An Innovator with Michael Docherty

Do you take the time to open yourself up to something new? Listen as your host, Eric Tivers, and his guest Michael Docherty discuss why he called his team the island of misfit toys, his entrepreneurship, looking at his strengths from the perspective of an innovator, plus much more on this episode of ADHD reWired. Michael is a lifelong innovator who has led a successful thirty-five career as a corporate executive, venture investor, entrepreneur, consultant, author, husband, and happy father of three adult children. His goal as a parent was not to screw his kids up, and he thinks he has succeeded. As someone diagnosed with ADHD only five years ago, Mike says he used to think that he stumbled into the right things, but in looking back now sees it as a journey in learning how to play to one's strengths and find creative ways to compensate for the gaps. Michael shares working at Sunbeam and being a part of a group dubbed the island of misfit toys, how he thrives in a certain amount of chaos and how he keeps a handle on everything he has going on. Michael also talks about his perfectionist tendencies and how he has to remind himself that he is being hired for his brain, not his ability to do reports. Michael believes that the game has changed about what innovation is, how he likes to work with people who bring something different to the table and that when it comes to innovation and new product development, you need to work within the tolerances of the organization you work for. He also shares some tactical strategies to push in your organization without being pushed out the door. Listen, as Michael shares an interesting college career story, what happened that caused him to seek an ADHD diagnosis and how he used the book he wrote as a way to reinvent himself. Michael says that when he was writing the book, he decided about three-quarters of the way to stop and regroup, which caused him to take it in a different direction. You'll learn: [02:54] Welcome to the show, Michael! [03:14] Michaels talks about his team at Sunbeam, known as the island of misfit toys. [06:20] Michael speaks about being able to thrive in a certain amount of chaos. [09:12] How do you keep a handle on everything you have going on? [11:03] Michael discusses using other people to get him out of his perfectionist tendencies. [15:17] Michael reminds himself that he's being hired for his brain, not for his reports. [18:05] He has learned to get away from self-talk and think differently to make things happen. [24:00] Michael believes the game has changed about what innovation is. [28:06] Michael has always admired and loved working with people who differ from him and bring new things to the table. [29:54] How do I find the island of misfit toys? [31:34] Michael says that you need to work within the tolerance of the organization you work for when it comes to innovation and new product development. [32:38] What are some tactical strategies to push for what you want without getting pushed out the door? [35:36] Michael speaks about how to apply the principle of innovation to ADHD life management. [44:57] Michael shares an interesting college career story. [49:45] What was going on in your life that brought you to an ADHD diagnosis? [51:35] Michael talks about the book he released and how he used it to reinvent himself. [54:06] When he was about three-quarters through the book, he stopped and regrouped. [56:54] Thank you so much for being on the show! [57:45] If you are a regular listener, consider becoming a patron by clicking on our Patreon tab at www.ADHDreWired.com Connect with Michael: Next Big Email Collective Disruption Twitter