You know, there's a phrase that’s haunted people like me – and possibly like you – for years.
“Jack of all trades, master of none.”
Oof.
It’s usually flung at someone who dares to be good at more than one thing. Or someone who can't quite fit into a single box. Like, heaven forbid you're both strategic and creative, both people-focused and commercially minded. The horror!
But what I found out recently is that most people don’t know the full quote. The original version. I didn’t. And this version is the gamechanger.
Are you ready for this?
The full quote
“Jack of all trades, master of non, but oftentimes better than master of one.”
Thank you. I rest my case.
That second half? It’s the plot twist. The redemption arc. The truth. It reframes the phrase from a slight to a badge of honour. Because what it really says is: there’s power in versatility.
Pick a lane
Now, let me take you behind the scenes for a moment.
In the five years that I’ve had my business, I’ve received some very well-meaning advice from marketing experts – and I’m using “well-meaning” here the way you might use “bless your heart” when someone’s being a bit of a numpty.
People said:
“You really need to pick a lane. Is it business consulting? Is it neurodiversity? Is it coaching? You’ll confuse people otherwise.”
I thought, "Great. I’ve spent my whole life being too much of everything and now, apparently, I’m doing it professionally as well."
But here’s the thing: I’m not confused. And neither are the people I work with.
In fact, Think Exceptionally came about because I couldn’t separate those threads. Business, neurodivergence, coaching, systems thinking, professional speaking – it’s all connected.
To ask me to “just focus on one thing” is like saying, “Sure, your brain’s great… but could you switch off half of it?”
You've got range
Let’s be honest: this idea that we should all narrow ourselves down to one thing is based on an outdated model. The industrial-era idea of expertise. One job. One role. One path.
But the world we live in now? It rewards the integrators. The dot-connectors. The ones who can zoom out and zoom in. Who can hold complexity without falling apart – because, let’s be real, we’ve spent our whole lives navigating complexity, both internally and externally.
Being a Jack (or Jill) of all trades doesn’t mean you’re scattered. It means you’re adaptable. It means you’ve got range. It means your brain can do the equivalent of spinning plates, herding cats, and solving a Rubik’s cube – sometimes all before lunch.
Holistic service
A lot of people use the word ‘holistic’ to describe the service they offer, but don’t deliver in such a manner.
I once had a client say, “Lisa genuinely provides a holistic service.”
Which, honestly, I’d put on a T-shirt if I could get the right font.
What they meant was: I bring strategy, structure, empathy, and neurodivergent insight all into one space. And sometimes what makes the biggest difference for a client isn’t one big intervention, but the fact I can switch lenses – from business model to mindset to team dynamics – without breaking stride.
That’s the power of a well-integrated “Jack of all trades.”
You see things specialists miss.
A flaw or a strength?
And look, I won’t sugar-coat it – a lot of us who are neurodivergent have been trained to believe that our broad interests, non-linear thinking, or tendency to leap between ideas is a flaw.
When in fact, it’s often a strength.
We can’t always explain how we know what we know – it’s just there, connected through a thousand invisible threads. And while that might look chaotic from the outside, inside it’s often deeply intuitive and strategic.
So when someone says “Just do one thing,” we’re not being demand avoidant when we resist – we’re being honest.
I can't pigeonhole you
I remember a workshop I once ran – a mix of founders, and a few “accidental entrepreneurs” (you know the ones who started a side hustle and suddenly had a VAT number).
Partway through, someone asked me what I actually do. (Which is code for “I can’t pigeonhole you and that’s making me uncomfortable.”)
So I smiled and said: “I help people and businesses stop trying to be what they’re not, and start making the most of everything they are.”
They blinked. Then they grinned. Then they wrote it down.
That’s when it clicked. We don’t need simpler selves. We need more sophisticated ways of talking about the richness of who we are.
Cautionary tale or compliment?
So what if we stopped seeing "Jack of all trades" as a cautionary tale… …and started seeing it as a compliment?
What if we said: “Yes, I’m multi-talented. Yes, I’ve had more than one career. Yes, I care about people and profits. Yes, I want to coach, consult, and speak. And no, I’m not confused. I’m integrated.”
What if your unique combination of interests, skills and identities is exactly what’s needed in a world that’s crying out for more nuance, not less?
Be multi-dimensional
Think Exceptionally exists because I think exceptionally – and so do my clients. And I know my community is full of people who have been told to shrink, simplify, or “pick one lane.”
So let me be the first to say: You don’t have to choose one thing to be taken seriously.
You can be focused and flexible. Strategic and empathetic. Deep and broad.
That’s not a flaw. That’s the future.
So the next time someone tries to box you in, give them your best smile and say:
“Actually, I’m a Jack of all trades. Master of none. But oftentimes better than master of one.”
And then walk away like the brilliant multi-dimensional legend you are.
Thank you.
Are you a multi-dimensional legend but struggling to fit in?
Let me help!
Whether you're looking for ADHD Coaching, Autism Coaching, or Coaching to support any other neurodivergent condition, I'll work with you to develop strategies and tools to draw on your strengths and manage your challenges so you can be your best self.
I'm ADHD, Autistic and gifted myself – twice exceptional – but I've often just felt like the exception, so I truly get the challenges that neurodivergence can present in your personal life and in the workplace. This is my Why for becoming a neurodiversity Coach – so I can give others the support I didn't even realise I needed but so wish I'd had.
I'm a Neurodiversity Coach, Professional Speaker and Business Consultant. That might sound like three completely different roles, but they all fit together through my varied background, training and experience.
I'd like to share my story with you, the journey I've been on that has culminated in an exciting new rebrand as Think Exceptionally.
Consulting with Kerr
I set up Consulting with Kerr in 2020, specialising in the systems, processes and information that create and maintain value for owners considering exits in a 3 to 5-year horizon.
Why did I choose this niche?
Because I'm a Chartered Accountant with a Corporate Finance and HR background. For more than 20 years I held senior financial and operational roles from global professional services firms to regional SMEs, so I wanted to use all of my knowledge and experience in business to help others.
Find out more about my Business Consulting services here.
Neurodivergence
I was diagnosed Autistic and ADHD in my 40s, around the time that I set up Consulting with Kerr. Both of these significant life changes happened in early 2020, around the time that Boris Johnson announced our first Covid-19 lockdown, so I had quite a few things to process there.
So I didn't share my diagnosis publicly until a few years later when I wrote a blog about it on World Mental Health Day 2022. You can read the blog here: 931 days
ADHDbrain.Coach
Understanding how my brain works, where my strengths and struggles lie, led me to a new purpose – to give others the support I didn't even realise I needed but so wish I'd had.
I spent all of 2023 running Consulting with Kerr while training as a Certified ADHD Life Coach, followed by Certification with the International Coaching Federation and additional training in Understanding Autism and Neurodiversity-Inclusive Coaching.
I chose to keep the two businesses separate and run two brands as I viewed one as a B2B consulting offer and the other as a B2C coaching offer. I didn't want to confuse either audience by talking about my different service offerings on one site.
Hacking Neurodiversity
In early 2023, I received an invitation to take part in a video project called Hacking Neurodiversity. The brainchild of the wonderful Graeme Lawrie MBE of ACS International Schools, in partnership with inrehearsal. Hacking Neurodiversity is a boxset of videos put together with the help of students, teachers, parents and specialists, who all gave their time freely to attend, sharing insights on what it's like to live with, and love, neurodiversity. You can find all of the videos here.
I was pretty terrified being in a film studio for the first time – so many lights and cameras! But I realised I felt confident talking about my neurodivergence. For once, the imposter syndrome didn't get a look in because who could suggest my experiences as a late-diagnosed neurodivergent adult were incorrect?
The fab team at inrehearsal were convinced too and invited me to deliver a community webinar about neurodiversity for the corporate members on their learning platform. Over 300 L&D Leaders joined the webinar and my Professional Speaking offering escalated from there (thank you so much for believing in me Ben!).
Find out more about my Professional Speaking here and Neurodiversity Services for Business here.
Suddenly it all makes sense
In marketing, we're told to define our niche and be clear on our offering. So I've been worrying that I can't be all of the things and must choose an area to focus on.
Then I learnt the term 'multipotentialite' – a person with multiple interests, passions, and talents across different fields, rather than a single, specialised focus. The term was popularised by Emilie Wapnick in her TED Talk "Why Some of Us Don’t Have One True Calling."
So what are the key traits of a Multipotentialite (according to ChatGPT at least)?
Curiosity-Driven – They enjoy learning and exploring diverse subjects.
Fast Learners – They often pick up new skills quickly.
Adaptable – They can transition between industries, roles, and disciplines with ease.
Creative Synthesizers – They combine knowledge from different areas to create innovative solutions.
Resistant to Routine – Specialising in just one field for life may feel limiting or boring.
Big Picture Thinkers – They often see connections between seemingly unrelated topics.
This is me!
After running a business for five years, I've finally managed to bring everything together.
My brain is wired differently. Neurodivergence makes me an exception to the rule. I don't fit in because I think exceptionally.
I bring my unique neurodivergent thinking to create innovative solutions in my business consulting work.
My broad business skills and lived experience of neurodivergence mean I can relate to almost any scenario my coaching clients are experiencing. Autistic empathy makes me a great listener.
And as a professional speaker, I'm supporting businesses to empower neurodivergence in the workplace, combining my corporate and HR background with my Coach training and neurodivergence.
So, for the first time in my life, I'm proud that I don't fit in. I don't want to fit in. I think exceptionally.
Welcome to Think Exceptionally!
Because mental wellbeing really matters
I'm closing out the year with my continued commitment to mental wellbeing and continuous learning.
Mental Health First Aider badge
I spent the last two days completing the MHFA England® Mental Health First Aider qualification.
And today I also received confirmation that I passed the NCFE Level 2 Understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in the Workplace qualification that I completed in November.
Christmas is a tough time for many people, and can be particularly stressful for those of us who are neurodivergent.
While I am taking a break from work over the holiday period, I'm always available if anyone is struggling and needs someone to talk to so please know that you can reach out to me if you need to.
And if you're looking for Mental Health First Aider training yourself, I highly recommend Paul Street of Thortitude, who is an excellent trainer.
What books can help a late-diagnosed Autistic person understand more?
When I've been asked this question in the past, Untypical, A Book about Autism by Pete Wharmby has been one of the books I refer people to, with the comment that it's sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read, so I can't recommend it personally but I've heard others speak very highly of it.
Untypical - A book about autism by Pete Wharmby
So I took it on holiday with me, as that's the only time I really read paperbacks.
And now I can recommend it wholeheartedly, as someone who has read it.
I resonate with so many of the experiences Pete describes. Some less so, but that's because we are all different and each of us experiences our Neurodivergence in a different way.
There are so many great quotes that I'll come back to, so many examples that come up time and time again with my coaching clients. You can see how many post-it notes I used to mark paragraphs!
One quote that I will share though, because it's something I often try to explain to people, is the complexity of Autistic masking:
"Over time my mask, so separate from myself, began to be as complex as my own personality. I'm loath to suggest that this constructed mask was a total deception or lie, as it wasn't deliberate or designed to confound. But it was a layer of pretence. It was acting, but without a script."
Not all Autistic people have the ability to mask. Matt Gupwell speaks eloquently on this topic. But I'm one of those who does mask, and did mask unwittingly for the 40 years prior to my diagnosis.
In the Red Corner, the undefeated champion Standing tall, supremely confident, ready to get out there again and knock ‘em dead
And in the Blue Corner, the challenger Shoulders stooped, looking anxious, a little sick
It doesn’t sound like it’s going to be a fair fight does it? Would you pay to watch this entertainment?
But I’m not talking about a boxing match
I’d like to introduce you to the inside of my head
I’m Autistic and ADHD Neurodivergent Two conditions with many overlapping traits and also complete opposites in so many ways
Both come with stigma, stereotypes, misunderstanding
By sharing my experience, what it’s like to be me, I’m hoping you’ll understand me a little more. And this is only my experience, because we’re all different so I can’t speak for all Autistics, all ADHDers, in the same way that you shouldn’t assume that because you’ve met one Neurodivergent person, you know what we’re all like
Let me tell you a little more…
Autism is connected with the left side of the brain The analytical side, rational, logical, controlling Often depicted as the black and white side of the brain Things have to be fair Rules have to be followed Change is a scary thing I have to be in control
Recently, at a networking event, someone introduced me as ‘This is Lisa. She’s very talented’
When I enquired what he meant by talented, he said that I’m creative and knowledgeable but don’t show any emotion And this is a common misconception that Autistic people have no empathy But you couldn’t be further from the truth
There are different types of empathy
Emotional empathy – feeling your emotions. Taking them on as if they were my own Wanting to make things better for you. I have buckets full of this empathy!
Cognitive empathy – recognizing and understanding what you’re experiencing. That’s a different thing entirely.
Autistics can struggle to accurately recognise emotions. Eye contact can be difficult so we’re likely to look at the periphery of your face, not the eyes and mouth – and that’s where emotions show up.
So while I feel all the emotions very deeply, rational pragmatic me wants to fix the problem and what comes out of my mouth in the moment might sound blunt and uncaring.
And what about if ADHD brain gets involved too?
I’ve thought of 75 different ways I can help you and it’s all bursting to get out
I need to do something right now
I’ll give you a big hug Ooof
I’ve still got the boxing gloves on That was a right hook I got it wrong again
What’s it like to be us? Too much! What do you do when the trouble isn’t one thing that you do, it’s everything that you are? So much of the internal experience of autism is invisible to outsiders. No one else can see the struggle.
I wear a sunflower lanyard
If you don’t know what this means, it’s part of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme – a way for people with less visible disabilities to tell you that we might be struggling, might need a little help, without having to shout it from the rooftops
But I do shout it from the rooftops because I want everyone to know what this means.
Please look out for sunflower lanyards; you might be surprised how many you spot now you know what they are
Back to Jennifer. She also says:
I pull the rug right out from under myself when everybody is looking. Just trust that I didn't mean to make anyone fall. My version of normal does not look the same as most people’s.
This really resonates with me My deepest belief has always been that I’m not good enough My black and white view of the world has defined the way I ‘ought’ to be I’ve spent my life trying to fit in. Trying to be normal Act the right way. Say the right things I’m too much I overcompensate. I’m too intense in relationships, Both work and personal. I need to feel needed. I do too much And this results in me pushing people away through caring too much. The fight goes on
ADHD is associated with the right side of the brain The creative side. Often depicted in a rainbow of colours Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Another misnomer It’s not a deficit of attention It’s a deficit in the ability to regulate my attention Something has all of my attention I was a Due Diligence Director, attention to detail an absolute must! So much attention I forget to drink water, eat, even blink Or my attention is all over the place Now, what was I saying … ? The fight goes on
And when you say hyperactive, people think of small boys unable to sit still in the classroom But I barely move, I’m like a sloth It’s my mind that’s hyperactive I’m endlessly curious, with a love of learning Autism – because I have to know exactly how everything works to feel in control ADHD – because each new thing becomes a hyperfocus, a fascinating new idea to explore, new possibilities …. And I want to try them all right now!! Well, maybe not right now, because Autistic brain needs to know exactly how they’d work, and think through all the things that could go wrong before I start The fight goes on
I used to think that everyone’s brain worked the same way as mine does. That everyone experiences the world the same way I do. Because there’s no benchmark. I wear glasses. You might have noticed this in photographs of me. But how did I know I needed them?
I started learning to drive at 17. Part of the test was reading a car number plate at a particular distance. While I could read it, it was a little blurry, so I went to the optician to get my eyes tested and established that I needed glasses. The Optician’s chart gave me the benchmark
We don’t have that same benchmark for what goes on inside our minds So I thought that everyone’s brain works the same way as mine Now I know that’s not true I was only diagnosed with ADHD and Autism in my 40s, and after the grief cycle that so many of us go through, I’m now learning to live with my Neurodivergence Learning to manage the challenges and appreciate the strengths
Albert Einstein famously said:
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.
What’s the genius within that I can call on? I’m creative AND methodical I see patterns AND spot anomalies I’m fiercely loyal AND resilient I’m great in a crisis, a problem solver AND pragmatic I have awesome attention to detail AND endless curiosity I’ve even been told I’m quite funny at times. Who knew?!
Harvey Blume, an American journalist and advocate says:
Neurodiversity may be every bit as crucial for the human race as biodiversity is for life in general. Who can say what form of wiring will be best at any given moment?
I’ve decided to call time on the fight, take off those boxing gloves, and appreciate my Autistic ADHD brain for what it is. Let the two sides learn to work together Take the rainbow and straighten it … just a little Take the black and white, and create shades of grey. 50 perhaps … too much? I’ve decided to stop worrying so much about what people think of me
Stop judging myself And start doing things that I can be proud of Things I believe in Start believing in me!
So while my Autistic brain still struggles with a Boxing Ring being square…
In the Red Corner, I’ve started professional speaking about Neurodiversity and by sharing my story, I hope to help others to understand, accept AND value Neurodivergence
In the Blue Corner, I’ve trained as an ADHD and Neurodiversity Coach so I can support other Neurodivergent folk. You can find out more here.
And in the Yellow Corner, I’ve Started to Write Poetry and started a Substack (Down a Rabbit Hole)
And in the Green Corner, I’ve joined a Samba drumming band, because ADHD brain is never going to be happy with just Red and Blue
I’m always going to create a rainbow!
Can anyone call themselves a coach? Sadly yes as it’s such a generic term.
Can anyone call themselves an ICF Coach? Absolutely not!
124 hours of specific Coaching education as part of my initial Certified ADHD Life Coach qualification with the International ADHD Coach Training Center
10 hours of mentor coaching
130 hours of coaching experience
Final coaching evaluation assessing that my skills meet the ICF ACC standard
ICF Ethics course
Final evaluation exam - a three-hour exam consisting of 81 different coaching scenarios where I had to choose both the best and worst option for the Coach.
While there's no overall regulation for the coaching profession, the ICF is the is the leading global coaching organization. With over 35,000 professional coaches, the ICF offers the only independent and internationally recognised coach credentialing programme.
ICF-Credentialed coaches meet the highest professional standards and adhere to a strong code of ethics and I'm proud to be a part of this organisation.
Thanks to
This has been a journey that wasn't walked alone. Huge thanks to everyone who supported me and a special mention to:
You might be wondering why I did this. It's not my usual style!
Well I've been learning not to take myself so seriously. Just get out there and do the thing. See what happens. And you know what? It wasn't so bad. I'd even go as far as to say I enjoyed it.
Another step towards self-esteem?
Neurodiversity coaching can help you take those steps. Find out what coaching is all about here.
And if you're interested in booking me as a speaker for your next event, find out more here.
Why do I wear a sunflower lanyard?
I'm sure you've seen people wearing a sunflower lanyard.
If you've spent any time around me, you should have spotted mine.
If not, look again!
The sunflower lanyard - or any similar item with the sunflower emblem - is a way for those of us with hidden disabilities to let you know that we might need extra help, understanding, or just more time.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme was first introduced at Gatwick Airport in 2016 and, since then, thousands of businesses globally have joined the Sunflower network.
My son and I wear sunflower lanyards when we're out and about. We both struggle with sensory processing issues in crowded places like packed trains or airports, and it causes anxiety and overwhelm.
When travelling through an airport, we book special assistance and this means that we are able to use the special assistance security lines, sit in the special quiet areas and board the plane first.
We don't have to wear the sunflower lanyard to be eligible for special assistance. We wear them in the hope that we'll get more understanding from those around us because our disabilities are not visible.
But this is rarely the case. It's clear from the looks we get that many people still have no idea what the sunflower signifies and think we're just trying to jump the queue.
This unfair judgement causes further anxiety.
40% of Sunflower wearers have neurodevelopmental or mental health conditions
Source: Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, 2023
It's not just for airports and people wearing a sunflower lanyard won't all need the same help. There's a vast range of disabilities that aren't immediately obvious and the challenges associated with these conditions can differ greatly.
Please look out for the sunflower. It's pretty distinctive when you know it's there.
And when you do spot it, please try to be be understanding.
You could show your support by telling the person that you've noticed they are wearing the lanyard and wondered if you can be of any help. They're unlikely to be offended by this and have the option to politely decline. But if they are struggling, you could change the outcome of their day.
Super exciting this week as I've launched the www.ADHDbrain.Coach website.
Many of you already know that I’ve been training all year to become a Certified ADHD Life Coach with the International ADHD Coach Training Center (IACTCenter), a programme accredited by the International Coaching Federation.
I’m here to support ADHD, Autistic and Neurodivergent folk to thrive at work (formal diagnosis not needed).
Yesterday was Neurodiversity Pride Day and I didn't do any social media posts because I was at my son's parents' evening.
Adam is Autistic, ADHD and Dyspraxic and since January 2022 he has attended Slindon College, a specialist provision for boys with additional needs.
At parents' evening, all of Adam's teachers gave glowing feedback on how well he's getting on and how much progress he has made since joining the school. They even commented that he's like a different child.
What they don't realise is that he was already like a different child, from the moment he set foot in this fabulous school where the environment and every lesson is tailored to support Neurodivergent boys.
I was moved to tears by so many of the comments and when the English teacher shared this Sonnet that Adam had written about our Boxer dog (a Spanish street rescue dog), I was just blown away by our son's talents, which were hidden previously. Now he is flourishing and what better day to hear all of this than Neurodiversity Pride Day!
Nigel Kerr IEng was sadly on night shift so only got to hear this second hand from me but we both want to say a massive THANK YOU to Sotiria Vlahodimou and her entire team of teaching and support staff at Slindon College for giving our son this opportunity and for making us the proudest parents right now 💜 🧠 ⭐
Like a lion he stalks, like a hare, he Springs A great hound, or like a sneaky fox, he Dashes Sprawled out, like a tigress, his long tail Swings His tail whips around smashing things with Crashes
To train him is to be preparing to Spar He springs out so very Spontaneously Mystically he awaits food to Voire He waits to eat Simultaneously
Upon the arrival of food, he Eats A wild beast he easily Defeats He was found roaming around endless Streets He defeated soldiers of the Elites The slain of the elite Minority And righteous death of Authority
By Adam Kerr
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