Executive Function at Work
Connecting how people think, how they work, and how organisations are designed
A three-level framework applying executive-function principles across clinical care, occupational functioning, and organisational systems.
The central idea
Executive function connects mental health, work capacity, and organisational performance
Attention, planning, organisation, working memory, decision-making, emotional regulation and adaptability influence how people manage health, perform at work, and respond to organisational demands.
Executive Function at Work brings these perspectives together within one integrated framework.
Clinical level
Executive function in mental health care
Applying executive-function principles to psychiatric assessment, treatment, recovery and shared care.
- ADHD and neurodevelopmental conditions
- Mood, anxiety, trauma and stress-related disorders
- Sleep, fatigue and cognitive performance
- Attention, task initiation and organisation
- Emotional regulation and resilience
- Medication, therapy and psychoeducation
- Clinical shared care with patients and GPs
Occupational level
Executive function and work participation
Understanding how executive functioning influences work capacity, performance, recovery and sustainable employment.
- Fitness for work and work capacity
- Role demands and cognitive workload
- Functional impact of psychiatric conditions
- Workplace adjustments and practical supports
- Return-to-work planning and rehabilitation
- Neurodiversity within the workplace
- Independent occupational and medico-legal assessment
Organisational level
Designing work for human functioning
Designing leadership practices, teams and organisational systems that support executive function, mental health and sustainable performance.
- Executive demand and cognitive workload
- Leadership, prioritisation and decision-making
- Team functioning and psychological safety
- Meeting, communication and workflow design
- Technology, interruption and digital overload
- Workplace mental-health strategy
- Measurement, evaluation and system improvement
Integrated and continuous approach
The three levels are connected
Clinical functioning affects work. Work conditions affect mental health. Organisational systems shape both.
The framework allows care, occupational recommendations, and organisational strategy to be understood within one coherent model while maintaining appropriate professional, clinical and confidentiality boundaries.
Common goal
Better human functioning at work
Supporting optimal executive function, mental health, work participation and organisational performance.
How the framework is applied
From understanding the problem to improving the system
Clarify executive demands, individual functioning, work context, environmental barriers and organisational contributors.
Match executive capacity, role demands, treatment, workplace support and organisational expectations.
Implement practical clinical, occupational or organisational changes and review measurable outcomes over time.
Framework lead
Dr Akuh Adaji
Psychiatrist working at the intersection of executive function, clinical shared care, workplace mental health, occupational psychiatry and organisational systems.
My work examines how executive functioning affects mental health, treatment implementation, work participation and organisational performance. I apply these principles across clinical care, independent occupational assessment, and organisational consulting.
Executive Function at Work
Improve how people function across health, work and organisations
Enquiries are welcome regarding clinical shared care, occupational and independent psychiatric assessment, organisational consulting, teaching, research and strategic collaboration.