Tim Newman Speaks: 3 ADHD Communication Hacks That Actually Work

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Ever been told to “just focus harder” in a conversation?

That advice doesn’t just miss the mark, it overlooks the superpowers hidden in how the ADHD brain works.

In this episode of Speaking with Confidence, Tim Newman flips the script on conventional communication strategies and shares science-backed techniques that align with how ADHD brains naturally function. From rapid-fire thinking to memory gaps and impulsive interjections, Tim reframes these common traits not as barriers, but as opportunities for transformation.

You’ll learn:

• Why ADHD brains process language up to 20x faster, and how to adjust for it
• The 2-second pause that boosts perceived competence by 37%
• How nonverbal signals can reduce interruptions by 62%
• A 3-word memory trick that can increase recall by up to 80%
• How to turn impulsivity into authenticity in every conversation

This isn’t about “fixing” communication, it’s about rewiring your approach so it works with your brain, not against it. Whether you live with ADHD or lead someone who does, these insights offer practical tools to create more meaningful, effective conversations.

Visit TimNewmanSpeaks.com to grab your free resource, The Top 21 Challenges for Public Speakers and How to Overcome Them, and start building the confidence you deserve.

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Episode Transcript

Tim (00:08):
Welcome back to Speaking with Confidence, the podcast
that helps you build the softskills that lead to real results
Communication, storytelling,public speaking and showing up
with confidence in everyconversation that counts.
I'm Tim Newman, a recoveringcollege professor turned
communication coach, and I'mthrilled to guide you on a
journey to becoming a powerfulcommunicator.
Make sure you hit the subscribebutton so you never miss an

(00:33):
episode.
In the most recent episode, Ispoke with Harriet Bratton.
She was a great guest and shegave some really good,
actionable advice.
If you miss that episode andshe gave some really good,
actionable advice If you missedthat episode, make sure you go
back and listen.
You won't be sorry.
We spoke briefly about howpeople with ADHD have some

(00:54):
challenges when it comes tobeing powerful communicators.
Today, I'm going to give you mytop three hacks to master
communication if you have ADHD.
If you don't have ADHD, I'msure you know someone who does
Please share this episode withthem.
If you have ADHD, it doesn'tmake you a bad communicator.
It just means you needdifferent tools.

(01:15):
Most people with ADHD are toldjust focus harder, but that
advice is useless when yourbrain works differently.
Just focus harder, but thatadvice is useless when your
brain works differently.
I'll show you how to leverageyour ADHD traits to communicate
more effectively, turningchallenges like rapid thinking

(01:36):
and creativity into strengths.
The results might actuallysurprise you.
So let's get started.
What if the thing you've beentold is your communication
problem is your actualsuperpower?
If you've got ADHD, you knowthe deal.
It's blurting stuff out, it'sinterrupting, jumping in a half

(01:58):
sentence too soon.
It can feel like a flaw,especially in structured
conversations when you'resupposed to wait your turn like
a well-behaved third grader.
But here's the thing when youlearn to manage it just enough,
that impulse becomes energy,becomes momentum, becomes

(02:18):
authenticity.
Most people wish they couldspeak with that kind of
spontaneity that comes naturallyto you.
The key isn't to shut it down,it's to channel it.
Take Richard Branson.
That guy isn't sitting aroundworkshopping the perfect
sentence, he reacts in real timeand that energy is contagious.

(02:38):
His thoughts may be fast andraw, but they're real and people
listen.
So what's the differencebetween a train wreck,
interruption and magnetic energy?
About two seconds, seriously,just pause.

(02:59):
Count 1,001, 1,002 in your head.
It's enough time to filter thechaos without losing your edge.
That pause doesn't kill momentum, it gives it structure.
Want to make it stick?
Try tapping your leg once whenyou feel the urge to jump in.

(03:21):
That gives your brain aphysical cue to just chill out
for a second.
At first it'll feel a littleclunky, but give it three weeks,
it becomes automatic.
And the payoff Fewerinterruptions, sure, but more
importantly, bettercommunication.

(03:42):
You'll still speak with speedand energy, but now your words
will have weight.
People will think you'rethoughtful, strategic and
deliberate.
In fact, a University ofMichigan study found that ADHD
folks who paused beforeresponding were seen as 37% more
competent in mock interviews.
Same words, same time, justwith better timing.

(04:06):
This works because your brainis already moving faster than
the conversation and the pauseis your sink point.
So it's not about slowing down.
It's about matching the pacewith the people around you
without dumbing down yourthoughts.
If you're worried, you'll soundhesitant or unsure.

(04:27):
Don't be.
The pause makes people lean in.
It signals that what you'reabout to say matters, even if
you're just riffing.
Another trick is to build inmicrochecks, asking questions
such as does that make sense andam I being clear?
Allowing you to take a breakfrom the content just long

(04:48):
enough to check forunderstanding among the people
you're talking with also createsa different type of pause,
giving you a chance torecalibrate Now about that urge
to jump ahead in conversations.
Yeah, we're going to tacklethat next.
Interrupting isn't about beingrude.
It's about your brain doinglaps around the conversation.

(05:09):
If you've got ADHD, you're notwaiting to hear the end of the
sentence.
You've already drafted aresponse, a follow-up, and you
possibly already startedplanning lunch.
Adhd brains process languageabout 20 times faster than
neurotypical ones, so whilesomeone else is mid-sentence,
you're already three steps ahead.

(05:29):
Unfortunately, that often showsup as jumping in before they're
done and, yeah, that does tendto land badly.
But here's the truth.
It's not a lack of respect,it's a mismatch in pacing.
So, no, you don't need tosilence yourself.
You just need a system thatholds your place while the rest

(05:50):
of the room catches up.
Start with nonverbal signals,especially in work settings or
regular group conversations.
Something simple like a quickhand raise can signal I've got
something to add, withoutcutting someone off.
It's a small move that keepsyou placed mentally and shows
respect for the speaker.
It redirects the impulse fromspeak now to hold tight, and

(06:15):
that alone makes a hugedifference and it works.
A 2023 study in the Journal ofAttention Disorders found that
adults with ADHD who used asimple signal system cut their
interruptions by 62% in just sixweeks.
As a bonus, they reported lesstensions in meetings and felt
like their input actually landedbetter In one-on-one

(06:40):
conversations.
Tweak the system.
You don't need a hand raise,just a physical placeholder.
Try pressing your thumb andforefinger together when a
thought hits.
That little squeeze gives yourbrain a note to self without
jumping the gun.
Another option for less formalsettings would be to use a

(07:00):
fidget tool.
I generally have something inmy pocket like a coin or a pen,
just something small.
Like a coin or a pen, justsomething small.
Fidget tools aren't just forpassing time.
Research shows they cut down onimpulsive blurting by 40% in
conversations.
Just keep it subtle.
No juggling stress balls duringconversations.

(07:22):
Interrupting doesn't mean you'recareless.
It just means your brain worksfast.
But with the right structureyou can contribute fully and
stay in sync with the peoplearound you.
You don't have to choosebetween being present and being
respectful.
You can absolutely be both.

(07:42):
Next up, we're talking aboutanother classic ADHD moment,
when your brain wipesmid-conversation and that
brilliant point you're about tomake is gone.
So let's talk about how to stoplosing your best thoughts in
real time.
Forget about frantically takingnotes mid-conversation, that
strategy collapse the momentyou're actually engaged in
what's happening.
If you've got ADHD, you alreadyknow this.

(08:06):
Someone gives instructions ordrops something important in a
meeting and five seconds laterit's evaporated.
It's gone, forgotten, and it'snot because you weren't
listening, it just didn't stick.
This isn't laziness, it's aworking memory thing.
You see, adhd brains don'tretain verbal information the

(08:28):
same way others do, so advicelike write it down is about as
useful as just pay attention.
You pause to write, lose yourplace in the conversation and
suddenly you're stuck playingcatch-up again.
Here's something that actuallyworks the three-word anchor
method.
When someone's talking, grabthree key nouns, words that

(08:48):
capture the essence of what'sbeing said.
Not full sentences, not bulletpoints, just three anchors.
If someone says we need theproposal by Thursday and make
sure it includes the client'supdated numbers, you grab
proposal Thursday and numbers,repeat them in your head.
That's it.

(09:09):
This works because it forcesyour brain to filter which ADHD
brains are notoriously bad atdoing.
On the fly.
You can't hold everything butthree solid words, totally
doable, and they act likebookmarks, pulling the rest of
the memory back when youactually need it.
Now let's take that and levelit up.

(09:30):
Attach a physical cue to eachword.
Tap your leg for one, tap yourfoot for the second and maybe
press your tongue on the roof ofyour mouth for the third.
Is it weird?
Yeah, is it effective?
Absolutely.
A 2022 study showed ADHD adultsusing this multisensory method

(09:52):
boost the recall from 20 to 80percent.
It's not magic, it'sneuroscience.
You're tying the verbal to thephysical to make it harder to
forget, and it works anywhere Inthe doctor's office.
Try symptoms, meds and allergyOn a Zoom call.
How about deadline deliverablesand clients?
But keep it concrete.

(10:14):
No abstract fluff likealignment or synergy.
Your brain doesn't have time todecode that nonsense.
It's important to understandthat timing is key here.
Don't wait.
The moment you hear somethingimportant, lock it in.
Delay kills memory when you'vegot ADHD.

(10:35):
This method doesn't replacenote-taking entirely, but it
does give you a way to functionin real time without constantly
relying on a pen or an app.
The bottom line neurotypicalcommunication strategies weren't
built for you, but this one is,and the more you practice it,
the more second nature itbecomes.
Next, we need to understand whybreaking the standard rules of

(10:57):
communication might actuallymake you better at it.
Adhd communication challengesstem from mismatched
expectations, not defects.
Your brain's wiring requirestailored strategies, not forced
conformity.
The techniques I'm talkingabout work because they adapt to
how you process information,not how others think.

(11:19):
You should Pick one method thisweek Test the two-second pause
or the nonverbal signals, oreven the three-word anchor in
conversations.
Observe which best aligns withyour mental rhythm.
Track changes in how othersrespond and how much less energy
you expend compensating forunworkable norms.
The thing is most effectivecommunicators don't master ADHD.

(11:42):
They embrace it, they lean intoit and they direct it.
Your traits, when harnessed,create engagement others can't
replicate.
Start with a single strategyand refine it.
Remember we are looking forprogress, not perfection.
That's all for today.
Be sure to visitspeakingwithconfidencepodcastcom
to get your free ebook the Top21 Challenges for Public

(12:04):
Speakers and how to Overcomethem.
You can also register for theFormula for Public Speaking
course.
Always remember your voice hasthe power to change the world.
We'll talk to you next time,take care.