The "Spiky Profile": Why trying to be good at everything is holding you back
- Daniele Forni
- Feb 2
- 4 min read
For many years, I believed that to be a successful executive, I had to be perfect at everything. I tried very hard to fix my weaknesses. I hid my struggles, but by doing this, I accidentally limited my greatest strengths.
Every year, my performance reviews were the same:
"You are excellent. You bring results that no one else can. But your communication style is too... direct."
I felt disappointed. Why didn't the company appreciate my honesty and transparency?
I didn't know it back then, but I was fighting against my own Brain Architecture.
As an Executive Coach specializing in neurodiversity, I now understand that I have a "Spiky Profile."
The Myth of being "Good at Everything"
Most companies are designed for the "average" brain. They expect leaders to be equally good at everything—logic, communication, organization, and social skills.
But Neurodivergent leaders (Autism, ADHD, etc.) are different. We have Spikes:
The Peaks (Strengths): You have incredible talent in finding patterns, deep focus, or solving crises.
The Valleys (Challenges): You may struggle with memory, loud environments, or switching quickly between tasks.
When we try to flatten our spikes to fit in, we get burned out. But when we build our careers around our high peaks, we succeed.
The Science: 4 Types of Brains
A major 2025 study changed how we view neurodiversity. It is not just a simple line from "mild to severe." There are 4 Biological Types:
Social & Behavioral: High performers who often have anxiety or ADHD. Success costs them a lot of energy.
Mixed Type: Linked to specific developmental delays, but often emotionally stable.
Moderate Challenges: A "hidden" group that often goes unnoticed.
Broadly Affected: Those who face significant challenges and need strong support systems.
The "AuDHD" Conflict (Autism + ADHD)
A common pattern I see in top executives is having both Autism and ADHD. This feels like an internal war:
Your Autistic side needs Routine to feel safe.
Your ADHD side needs Novelty (new things) to feel interested.
The Result: You make a perfect plan for the week, but then you cannot do it because it feels "boring."
Please know: This is not laziness. It is a conflict in how your brain manages resources.
Discover Your Type
Understanding your brain is not about putting a label on yourself. It is about Energy Management. It helps you stop wasting expensive energy on tasks that should be cheap.
I have created an assessment to help you map your own cognitive landscape. It will show you where your "Spikes" are.
After you get your results, please reply or send me a message. Are you a "Systemizer" (you love logic and routine) or an "Ideator" (you love speed and new ideas)? Or are you living in the conflict between both?
I wish you the best in reaching your potential,
Daniele Forni Executive Performance & Neurodiversity Strategy
P.S. For Team Leaders: If you manage a team and see these "spiky" patterns in your employees, let’s talk. Supporting different brain types is not just about being kind; it is about Return on Investment (ROI) and innovation.
The world-famous data shaman weekly horoscope
♈ Aries: Your brain is craving a sprint, but the project needs a marathon pace—watch out for impulsive pivots mid-week.
♉ Taurus: Sensory regulation is your priority; if the office lighting or your chair is annoying you, fix it before you try to force yourself to work.
♊ Gemini: You have 15 "browser tabs" open in your brain right now—close 12 of them so you can actually execute on the 3 that matter.
♋ Cancer: Your "social masking" battery is running low; schedule a meeting-free afternoon to recharge your emotional energy.
♌ Leo: You are craving feedback, but don't let a lack of immediate praise trigger your Rejection Sensitivity—your results are speaking for themselves.
♍ Virgo: Your inner "Systemizer" is trying to perfect a spreadsheet that is already "good enough"—stop optimizing and hit send.
♎ Libra: Decision fatigue is a risk this week; automate your small choices (like lunch or outfits) so you save your brain power for the boardroom.
♏ Scorpio: Your ability to hyperfocus (Monotropism) is your superpower right now—dive into that deep research hole, but set a timer so you remember to eat.
♐ Sagittarius: Your ADHD side is screaming for novelty; if you feel bored, change your physical environment (work from a cafe) instead of changing your business strategy.
♑ Capricorn: You are trying to flatten your spiky profile by simply working harder, but remember: efficiency comes from leveraging your peaks, not fixing every valley.
♒ Aquarius: Your pattern recognition is firing on all cylinders; trust that "weird" connection you see between two unrelated data points—no one else sees it yet.
♓ Pisces: The emotional data in the office is loud this week; protect your focus by using noise-canceling headphones as a "Do Not Disturb" sign.
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