The One about ADHD and Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is often associated with traits such as creativity, resilience, and a willingness to take risks—all of which align closely with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) traits. Research increasingly shows that the prevalence of ADHD among entrepreneurs is significantly higher than in the general population. In fact, KPMG reported in 2018 that the prevalence of ADHD among US entrepreneurs is six times that of the general population.

This article explores why individuals with ADHD are often inclined towards entrepreneurship, the specific attributes that make them successful, the challenges they face, and strategies for harnessing their potential effectively.

Why ADHD Individuals Are Drawn to Entrepreneurship

People with ADHD traits are frequently drawn to entrepreneurship because it offers the autonomy, flexibility, and creative freedom they often crave but struggle to find in traditional work environments. The rigid structures and repetitive tasks typical of many jobs can be stifling for those with ADHD, leading to dissatisfaction and a sense of not fitting in. This often pushes individuals towards entrepreneurship, sometimes by default, as they seek an environment where they can operate more freely and align their work with their passions and strengths.

The Strengths of ADHD in Entrepreneurship

Creativity and Systemic Thinking

ADHD individuals are often exceptionally creative, a trait that is invaluable in entrepreneurship. Research indicates that the ADHD brain is less prone to "design fixation," has a predisposition to divergent thinking and conceptual expansion, and can think outside the box to generate innovative solutions to problems. This is further supported by their ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, leading to groundbreaking products and services.

Additionally, ADHD individuals often possess a natural tendency towards systemic thinking. This allows them to view problems holistically, identifying patterns and connections that others might miss. This kind of thinking is particularly valuable in entrepreneurship, where seeing the bigger picture can lead to more comprehensive and innovative solutions.

Risk-Affinity and Resilience

Entrepreneurs often need to take calculated risks, and ADHD individuals are naturally more comfortable with risk due to their lower inhibition levels. This willingness to embrace uncertainty can be a significant advantage in the unpredictable world of startups.

Many ADHD entrepreneurs also exhibit a high level of natural resilience. Having faced numerous challenges in environments not designed for their neurodivergent minds, they develop a thick skin and an ability to bounce back from setbacks This resilience is crucial in entrepreneurship, where failure is often a step towards success.

Passion and Contagion

ADHD individuals are known for their intense passion and enthusiasm, especially when engaged in activities that truly interest them. This passion can be contagious, making them particularly effective at selling their ideas and motivating their teams. Many of my clients have been able to secure significant funding for their projects, largely because of their ability to convey a vision with infectious energy. This enthusiasm also translates into a strong ability to advocate for their ideas. ADHD entrepreneurs often find themselves at the forefront of their ventures, driving their vision forward with a zeal that can inspire others to join their cause.

Now and Hyperfocus

While time management is often a challenge for those with ADHD, their unique relationship with time ('now vs. not now') can also be an asset. ADHD entrepreneurs tend to focus intensely on immediate tasks, a trait that can lead to quick decision-making and action—crucial in the fast-paced world of startups. Their ability to hyperfocus allows them to dive deeply into projects, often leading to breakthroughs that might not be possible with a more evenly distributed attention span.

However, this intense focus can also lead to challenges, particularly when it comes to managing multiple aspects of a business. One strategy that has proven effective for many of my clients is grouping similar tasks together to minimise the cognitive load associated with switching between different types of work.

Curiosity and Experimentation

ADHD individuals are naturally curious and thrive on novelty, making them well-suited to the iterative processes often required in entrepreneurship. They are drawn to experimentation and enjoy the process of refining their ideas through repeated testing and feedback. This iterative, almost playful, approach not only keeps them engaged but also leads to more refined and successful products and services.

Pioneering as a Mindset

The ADHD brain's ability to connect diverse ideas often leads to visionary thinking. Entrepreneurs with ADHD often foresee market trends and developments, giving them a strategic advantage in their ventures. This visionary thinking is not just about predicting the future, but also about creating it before it happens.

I once coached a client who runs a sustainability-focused business and based many of his concepts on not just a technical, but an intuitive understanding of emerging environmental concerns in his region in order to develop products that were ahead of their time. This ability to anticipate market needs was well put by Steve Jobs in the now-legendary:

A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them.

The Flipside of the Gift

While the strengths associated with ADHD can be powerful assets, there are also challenges that need to be managed.

Inconsistency

One of the most frustrating aspects of ADHD is its inconsistency. A routine or system that works well for a while may suddenly stop being effective. This can be particularly problematic for entrepreneurs, who need to maintain steady progress to keep their businesses afloat.

Inconsistent productivity can also be disconcerting for employees or investors who rely on the entrepreneur's leadership. This inconsistency is exacerbated by the fact that ADHD is often an "invisible" condition, leading to misunderstandings and miscommunications. It is not uncommon for an ADHD founder to successfully manage her time for months, only to suddenly find herself unable to follow through on commitments, leading to friction with her team. Noticing, understanding, and managing these fluctuations is crucial for sustaining long-term business success.

Rejection Sensitivity and Emotional Dysregulation

Many ADHD individuals struggle with rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD), where negative feedback or perceived rejection can lead to intense emotional pain. This can be crippling in the entrepreneurial world, where criticism is part of the process. Entrepreneurs need to develop strategies to manage these emotions, or they risk burnout. Emotional dysregulation can also affect decision-making and interpersonal relationships, both of which are critical in a business venture.

Self-Care vs. Restoration

ADHD entrepreneurs often become so engrossed in their work that they neglect their physical and mental health. The KPMG report highlights that many founders work well beyond the standard 40-hour week, which can lead to burnout. Without proper self-care, the same drive that fuels their success can also lead to their downfall. This issue is compounded by the fact that many ADHD entrepreneurs struggle with time management and prioritisation, especially prioritisation of their own wellbeing.

This brings to mind advice from one of my former teachers, executive coach jay perry , who once told me that when self-employed, you must drill it into your brain that:

Self-care is part of the job description.

Taking care of your 'body budget' (in the same way you manage your financial budget, by anticipating, spreading costs, planning, etc.) is essential. This concept is something I often highlight with my clients. While it is true and important to fully integrate for anyone with a life to manage, it is simply vital to those running businesses.

And self-care is not just about sleep or idleness; it's about finding activities that recharge you, such as spending time with friends, engaging in hobbies, or simply taking time to enjoy a good coffee and a magazine. These bubbles of nourishment provide a different but indispensable part of your restoration and are as crucial to maintaining the energy and focus needed to succeed in business as sleep, exercise, or healthy eating.

Boredom: Kryptonite for the ADHD Brain

Tasks that require sustained attention, such as administrative work or long-term planning, can be particularly difficult for ADHD entrepreneurs. This often leads to procrastination on essential but uninteresting housekeeping and back-office tasks, impacting business operations.

One client described how she would repeatedly delay essential financial planning tasks until the last minute, leading to unnecessary stress, errors, and missed deadlines for handing in grant funding applications. Coaching helped her lower resistance to outsourcing tasks to a trusted advisor and clearly articulate and list requirements to look for the right automation tools. With that, she was able to spend more time on the aspects of her business that she enjoyed more.

Another common challenge for ADHD entrepreneurs is not just outsourcing, but delegation in general. Many struggle with this either because of perfectionism or a belief that it's quicker to do things themselves. However, learning to delegate effectively is crucial. Partnering with people who complement their skills—especially those who excel in areas the entrepreneur finds challenging, like administration or logistics—can free up time and mental energy for more strategic tasks.

What is Your Juice?

Delegating based on "boring versus non-boring" tasks can help ADHD entrepreneurs focus on the work that excites and motivates them (for more than a few weeks) while delegating or making the tasks they find tedious or draining more attractive. This approach not only improves efficiency but also helps maintain their engagement and enthusiasm for the business. Identifying what tasks are the 'juice' that gets the entrepreneur going and can sustain the entrepreneur's motivation is not always as obvious as it seems, and this is also where coaching can help. Coaching can also help provide tools for 'jazzing up' a dreaded task and making it less scary, or more attractive, or both.

This mindset can also be applied in the context of having to delegate or recruit as an ADHD entrepreneur. After sharing delegation and recruitment procrastination stories in our coaching sessions, a client who founded and runs multiple successful businesses began applying a rule for formulating job requirements when hiring at his company. For interesting jobs, he would look for people 'like him', and for boring jobs, he would look for people he found (capable but) boring. Did it work? Gamechanger. Is it politically correct? No, but it wasn't policy and not that black and white in practice. It was simply a reframe the client made privately and playfully, in his head, to help formulate his genuine recruitment needs to HR, and help steer recruitment decisions.

The Loneliness Factor

Entrepreneurship can be a very lonely journey, particularly for those with ADHD. Many of my clients report feeling isolated, especially solopreneurs who lack a team or network of peers who understand the unique challenges they face.

This loneliness is exacerbated by the fact that many people with ADHD are verbal processors. They need to talk through their ideas and challenges with someone to make sense of them, properly engage with and organise their thoughts, and gain clarity. Without a sounding board, they can often feel overwhelmed and lose direction. This is why having a supportive network or coach can be so valuable—it provides the sparring, structure, and accountability that many ADHD entrepreneurs struggle to create for themselves.

ADHD Entrepreneurs by Default: The Ones That Get Away

For some ADHD individuals, entrepreneurship isn't just a choice but a necessity. These individuals often struggled to fit into traditional workplaces, either due to boredom, perceived rebelliousness, or a need for autonomy. This group are not entrepreneurs by design, but rather 'entrepreneurs by default' (or "necessity entrepreneurs"), in that they may not have originally aspired to start their own businesses but were driven to it by circumstances that made conventional employment untenable.

A significant number of these individuals could have remained in traditional employment if only their employers had better understood and accommodated their neurodiversity. Companies that recognise and embrace neurodiversity can unlock significant value, not only retaining these potentially brilliant employees but also benefiting from their unique perspectives and innovative thinking, turning them into intrapreneurs.

It is crucial for employers to understand that with the right support and environment, many ADHD individuals can thrive within a corporate structure. This includes providing flexible working conditions, recognising the need for as many creative outlets as possible, and offering support in areas where these individuals may struggle, such as time management or administrative tasks.

Beyond the Confetti

ADHD is often viewed strictly as pathological and disabling, despite the undeniable strengths it can bring. I don't believe we'll ever reconcile the 'ADHD-is-a-superpower' perspective with the 'But-ADHD-is-so-disabling' stance. As someone with ADHD, I can't even resolve this conflict within my own mind—let alone settle the debate for others.

What I do know is that the journey of ADHD entrepreneurs is one marked by extraordinary resilience, creativity, and constant adaptation. Whether they become entrepreneurs by choice or by default, these individuals are exceptionally suited to the role of driving value creation, innovation, and economic advancement.

Yet, beyond the confetti of startup success, aided by the yassification of 'geek culture', lies the reality that this journey is not without its challenges. Recent studies suggest a profound connection between entrepreneurship and the cognitive, affective, and behavioural differences linked with mental health conditions like ADHD. These differences, while presenting vulnerabilities, also contribute to highly advantageous outcomes that benefit both the individual and society.

With the right tools and support, ADHD entrepreneurs can turn daunting ventures into manageable ones, and even achieve extraordinary success. Recognising both the strengths and vulnerabilities tied to mental health is vital—not just for better entrepreneurial outcomes but also for shaping supportive policies. By aligning mental health protections with entrepreneurial empowerment, we can foster a more inclusive and innovative economy. And all that is why I do what I do.

You are welcome.

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