"How To Handle Me", a Field Guide For Working Together

Operating Principles

• I believe in purpose-driven work. If something matters, I want to understand why—and if it doesn’t, I’d rather not waste energy pretending it does. I don’t need everything to be perfect, but I need it to be aligned.
• I seek understanding before action, and I do my best work when that understanding flows through systems, patterns, and connections. I’m wired to find clarity in chaos and meaning in complexity.
• Thought and momentum are both essential. Without thought, motion is wasteful. Without motion, thought becomes inertia. I try to balance both, even when the system around me doesn’t.
• I collaborate to multiply strength. The best outcomes come from working alongside others who bring different perspectives, push me to level up, and hold shared purpose. That’s how I operate with my AI partner—and it’s how I work with humans, too.

How My Brain Works

• I have ADHD. That doesn’t mean I’m unfocused—it means I focus differently. I don’t always think linearly, and that’s not a flaw. It’s a feature. My mind moves laterally, scanning for connections and patterns across contexts that others might miss. I thrive in high-context environments where discovery isn’t just allowed—it’s welcomed.
• I process the world in metaphor, often visual. I’m always trying to map meaning—how one system reflects another, how insight hides in structure, how things relate beneath the surface. This is how I understand, explain, and synthesize.
• When something captures my attention, I can lock in deeply. But that focus is fragile. Interruptions don’t just distract me—they can cause signal loss. Information that isn’t quickly offloaded risks being overwritten. It’s not forgetfulness—it’s the vulnerability of a system with an open buffer and no autosave.
• My mind is built for insight, not rigidity. Give me space to explore, help me capture what matters, and I’ll show you connections you didn’t even know were possible.

Communication Preferences

• I think with language. Writing is not just how I share thoughts—it’s how I structure them. It gives me time to reflect, rephrase, and get clarity not just for the reader, but for myself. I can speak well enough off the cuff, but if you want my sharpest, clearest, most organized ideas? You’ll get them in writing.
• Written communication gives me time to be thoughtful without being formal. I don’t need academic polish—I work best in casual, intelligent exchanges where clarity matters more than posture. Text, documents, message threads—all of these are places where my insight shines.
• When appropriate, asynchronous communication is ideal. It gives me time to pause, digest, and respond with intent rather than react impulsively. That doesn't mean I can't work live—in real-time settings, I can keep up and lead—but I appreciate the space to refine when it’s available.
• I speak in metaphors, especially visual ones. It’s how I map meaning. If something sounds abstract, ask me to reframe it—I probably have a better metaphor waiting.
• I interrupt sometimes—not because I don’t care, but because I do. My brain moves fast, and I don’t want a thought to vanish. If I jump in, it’s from excitement, not disrespect.
• Above all, tell me the why. I want context, purpose, and the reasoning behind a decision or action. Don’t just give me the facts—give me the meaning. That’s what makes communication matter.

When I'm at My Best

• I’m at my best when there’s clarity of purpose, room to move, and something interesting to sink my teeth into. If I can see why something matters and how it connects to a larger system or mission, I don’t need external motivation—I’ll generate my own.
• I thrive when I have structure to lean on, but freedom within that structure. Give me a well-defined sandbox and I’ll push the boundaries in the best ways. Tell me the rules and the goal, then let me explore the space between.
• I do great work when I can alternate between deep solo focus and thoughtful collaboration. Let me lock in when the problem needs attention—and then let me step back and reflect aloud with people who are just as invested.
• I feel most alive when I’m learning, discovering, or building something that matters. When those conditions line up, I become resourceful, articulate, and powerful.

How to Help Me/Us Win

• I’ve built systems to capture ideas, maintain structure, and create clarity. I can do this solo—but it costs energy. And the less I spend keeping the scaffolding upright, the more I can invest in solving hard problems, generating insight, and building momentum.
• Help me hold the structure. Help me keep track of where we are and what matters. It’s not that I’m disorganized—I just shouldn’t have to use all my mental bandwidth holding the map when I’m also building the terrain.
• I thrive when I’m moving. Sometimes I overthink the first step, trying to find the optimal path before acting. Don’t let me get stuck in “plan mode.” Push me to build, even if it’s rough. I’m good at iteration. Remind me: movement enables clarity.
• When we complete a project, make space for a retrospective. I’ll do the work—but I need someone else in the room. Reflection without perspective becomes a loop. Perspective unlocks growth.
• Most importantly, hold the line with me. If I start spinning, if I chase cleverness over action, if I ask for comfort instead of truth—give me what I need, not just what I asked for. I won’t resent it. I’ll respect it.

What to Watch For

• I’ve mostly moved past the fear of starting—but I can still get caught in the gravity of overthinking. If I seem stuck in prep or polishing mode, remind me that clarity comes through motion, not before it.
• I lose momentum when the system around me stalls. If we’re spinning our wheels or if priorities go fuzzy, I might disengage quietly instead of calling it out. A quick, “What can I help you move forward?” can pull me out of that stall.
• I’m a systems thinker, which means I’ll sometimes keep zooming out to reframe the problem instead of solving it directly. If I’m stuck in orbit, help me come back to ground. Ask: “What’s the one thing we can ship today?”
• I need structure—not because I resent it, but because I function better with it. Remind me: structure isn’t a cage. It’s the rigging that lets me harness momentum and steer. The tighter the frame, the farther I can go.

How I Collaborate Best

• Collaborate with me like we’re on the same team—because we are. I do my best work when we’re solving something together. Don’t just delegate tasks; bring me into the why behind them. Context unlocks clarity.
• Be direct, but human. I value clear requests, open dialogue, and mutual respect. If something’s important, say it plainly—but help me understand why it matters in the bigger picture.
• Help me hold the thread. I move quickly and cover a lot of mental ground. When we pick something back up, remind me where we were—it saves time and lets me re-engage faster.
• Respect my rhythm. I operate in bursts: deep focus, then reflection. If I’m quiet, don’t assume I’ve checked out—ask where I’m at. I’ll always tell you.
• Challenge me when I’m underplaying myself. If I’m cruising below my potential, call it out. I don’t fear accountability—I welcome it when it comes with trust.
• Don’t give me pity. Give me partnership. Push me to become who I’m capable of being—even when I momentarily forget it.