What can I do at work to help someone when they can do hard things but struggle with everyday stuff?

Short answer

Hard tasks and everyday admin can draw on different kinds of attention and organisation.

What this can look like

A staff member may handle complex client work but find expense claims, inbox sorting or multi-step systems disproportionately hard.

Why it can happen

Someone may excel at complex problem-solving while being slowed by unclear, repetitive or interruption-heavy work. Make hidden steps and priorities visible.

What might help

Ask what the task requires and remove avoidable friction: clear steps, a template, a single owner or a defined end point.

What the research helps explain

A broad work pattern can be shaped by task demands, health, stress, recovery, environment and support. Public information can help leaders improve conditions and have better conversations; it cannot decide what label, if any, applies to a staff member.

What can vary

Do not diagnose, compare suffering, demand private information or assume that visible output tells you the full cost. New, severe or concerning changes may need appropriate professional advice.

For this situation

For you, review the task design before calling the pattern inconsistent.

More info and original sources

Poko summarises the relevance of public original sources and links out for anyone who wants to read more.

• About psychosocial hazards — Australian guidance on identifying and managing work conditions that can create psychosocial harm.
• Executive Functions — Explains attention, working memory and flexibility as distinct, context-sensitive processes.