Good Systems · public information library
What can I do at work to help someone when they forget things unless they are right in front of them?
People come here to understand why something in everyday life feels harder, different or more costly than it should — and what might make it work better.
Short answer
Put key information and next actions in a reliable shared place.
What this can look like
Key decisions may be spread across chat, meetings and people’s memories.
Why it can happen
Important work should not depend on someone remembering a spoken instruction while managing competing demands. A source of truth reduces errors and repeat questions.
What might help
Use one shared place for the decision, owner and next action. Make it the normal team system.
What the research helps explain
Australian ADHD guidance and international consensus evidence describe ADHD as affecting everyday functioning for some people, including attention, planning, memory, time and follow-through. At work, practical supports and fair design can be useful without identifying anyone as having ADHD.
What can vary
Stress, sleep, health, task design, role clarity and preference can create similar work patterns. Do not diagnose employees, seek private medical information or make support conditional on disclosure.
For this situation
For you, make written actions, dates and owners standard after meetings.
More info and original sources
Poko summarises the relevance of public original sources and links out for anyone who wants to read more.
- Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD — Australian evidence guidance on ADHD, assessment, functional impact and support.
- Job demands — Australian guidance on managing cognitive demands, role clarity, workload, control and support.