Dave Delaney

Founder & CEO at Futureforth, Host of ADHD Wise Squirrels

Dave Delaney is a seasoned communication strategist, keynote speaker, published author, and ADHD-aware coach with over 25 years of experience helping professionals and organizations communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, he is the Founder and CEO of Futureforth, a consultancy specializing in corporate communication training, leadership workshops, and strategic coaching. Futureforth's Nice Method™ has empowered teams at major companies like Google, LinkedIn, FedEx, and UPS to enhance collaboration, culture, and business success through better messaging and relationship-building. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davedelaney) [Futureforth](https://futureforth.com) Diagnosed with ADHD at age 50 after years of masking symptoms, Dave transformed his personal challenges into a mission to support late-diagnosed adults—a group he affectionately calls 'Wise Squirrels.' Drawing from his own journey of self-discovery, involving medical hurdles, his wife's long-held suspicions, and coping strategies honed over decades, he launched the award-winning ADHD Wise Squirrels podcast, newsletter, and community in 2023. The platform offers practical tools, expert interviews, personal stories, and resources like free ADHD assessments to help neurodivergent adults embrace their strengths—hyperfocus, creativity, resilience—while navigating inattention, impulsivity, and overwhelm. Episodes cover ADHD-aware communication, career growth, medication insights, meditation practices, and debunking myths, such as ADHD's impact on life expectancy or its potential as a 'superpower.' [Wise Squirrels](https://wisesquirrels.com) Dave's career spans digital marketing leadership at Griffin Technology and Emma Email Marketing, Google Grow with Google speaking tours, and authorship of 'New Business Networking' and 'The Nice Method.' His improv background from Second City informs high-energy keynotes on active listening, overcoming fear of failure, and authentic networking—the '3 Ups': showing up, following up, catching up. He integrates ADHD insights into coaching, helping clients manage executive function, build psychological safety, and leverage AI for productivity. Featured on podcasts like The ADHD Heroes and cityCURRENT, Dave emphasizes grace, community ('find the others'), and neurodiversity celebration. Available for fractional CMO roles, his empathetic, structured approach turns communication friction into momentum. [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dave-delaney-diagnosed-at-50/id1760463263?i=1000746216052)

Key Insights from Dave Delaney

Diagnosed with ADHD at 50, after years of coping mechanisms I didn't know were ADHD-related.

— Dave Delaney on Late ADHD Diagnosis

Wise Squirrels are late-diagnosed adults who've built careers through hard-won coping strategies.

— Dave Delaney on Neurodiversity Strengths

The secret weapon of master communicators is improv: active listening, yes-and, overcome fear.

— Dave Delaney on Improv in Communication

Give yourself grace; understand limits, use medication, therapy, meditation, and community.

— Dave Delaney on ADHD Coping Tools

Notable Quotes from Dave Delaney

I'm walking this path with you—diagnosed at 50, sharing tools to embrace neurodiversity.

— Dave Delaney

Your best marketing is you: cool, honest, smart, helping people.

— Dave Delaney

Frequently Asked Questions about Dave Delaney

What is a 'Wise Squirrel' and who is it for?

A Wise Squirrel is an adult diagnosed with ADHD later in life, like host Dave Delaney at age 50. 'Wise' reflects the coping mechanisms and life wisdom gained from masking symptoms in a neurotypical world; 'Squirrel' nods to distractibility (think 'Squirrel!' from Up) but also resourcefulness. It's for late-diagnosed adults seeking clarity, strategies for communication/career/life, and community to celebrate neurodiversity. Resources include podcast episodes on meds, executive function, relationships, and a free assessment at wisesquirrels.com. [Wise Squirrels About](https://wisesquirrels.com/about)

How does ADHD affect adults, and what are effective management strategies?

ADHD impacts 6% of US adults (15.5M), causing inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, but also strengths like creativity. Late-diagnosed adults often excel professionally via unconscious coping but struggle with overwhelm. Dave recommends: professional diagnosis/treatment (meds work for many), mindfulness/meditation (daily practice transformed his focus), therapy, healthy lifestyle, ADHD-aware coaching, and community. Avoid self-diagnosis pitfalls; seek informed doctors. His podcast explores life expectancy risks, comorbidities, and turning ADHD into advantage. [ADHD Heroes Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dave-delaney-diagnosed-at-50/id1760463263?i=1000746216052)

What is the Nice Method, and how does it improve business communication?

The Nice Method, created by Dave via Futureforth, counters toxic hustle culture with empathetic, human-centered communication. Core pillars: active listening (hear teams), avoid wrecks (fear/poor comms), consider life outside work (build trust/community). Used in keynotes/workshops for Google/FedEx etc., it boosts retention, culture, collaboration. Integrates ADHD-aware tools for diverse thinkers. Ebook available; complements his book New Business Networking's '3 Ups' for authentic relationships. [Futureforth](https://futureforth.com)

How can ADHD-aware communication benefit teams and leaders?

ADHD adults bring hyperfocus, innovation, resilience but need clarity structures. Dave coaches on psychological safety, clear messaging, hybrid/digital tools to reduce friction. Keynotes teach improv for listening/presence, helping neurodiverse teams align. Benefits: higher engagement, trust, productivity. Examples: playbooks cut hybrid misalignment; workshops build cross-team bonds. Ideal for fast-growth tech/healthcare. Book sessions at futureforth.com. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davedelaney)

Dave Delaney — Areas of Expertise

  • ADHD Coaching
  • Communication Strategy
  • Leadership Keynotes
  • Neurodiversity
  • Networking
  • Improv Training
  • Community Corner

Dave Delaney — Show Appearances

  • Mornings in the Lab

Dave Delaney — Signal Brief

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Generated 2026-04-16T01:25:59.095Z