Why do some people claim that ADHD is the "entrepreneur's superpower?"

Are you an energetic and driven entrepreneur who thinks outside the box, always needs to be busy, and spots opportunities well before others? Have you ever asked yourself if you might have ADHD? With the rise of so many talking about ADHD as a superpower, it can be tempting to start looking for a doctor and figure out if you have the condition, however, it is not as simple and straightforward as it may seem.

In this article, we are here to talk about the connection between entrepreneurship and ADHD. We will explore the three different types of ADHD and how they can impact entrepreneurs. We will also look into the traits of successful entrepreneurs with ADHD, such as risk-taking, resiliency, and a strong need to make a difference. Finally, we will discuss how to manage the not-so-super parts of ADHD while running a business. We will even clear up the confusion about when and why to seek an official diagnosis.

So, if you are an entrepreneur and want to learn more about the connection between running a business and ADHD, this article is for you! And, by the way, this article is in no way intended to minimize, discount, or invalidate the experience of countless adults who are severely and profoundly impacted by their ADHD in very negative and limiting ways. This piece is intended to share my perspective on the claim that ADHD is an asset and an unfair advantage for entrepreneurs.

Here is the TLDR version for how to be successful as an entrepreneur with ADHD traits:

• Identify your strengths and zone of genius and leverage them
• Create systems and supports to manage your weaknesses
• Develop a sense of resilience and learn to dance with failure.

For those who want to go a little deeper:

Identifying your strengths and weaknesses is a process of self-reflection, and many people with ADHD struggle in this department. If you aren't all that clear on your strengths and tend to ignore or deflect your limitations, you might want to turn to others who know you well and can give positive but pointed feedback.

When it comes to entrepreneurs with ADHD, it is important to understand the different subtypes of ADHD and how they can affect the individual’s ability to succeed in business. Of the 3 ADHD subtypes (hyperactive-impulsive, inattentive-distractible, and combined,) those who tend to do best in the long run as entrepreneurs are those with the combined type.

This is a broad generalization and of course, there will be exceptions, but if you are excessively hyperactive and impulsive, you will take lots of risks, but there will probably be more mistakes and misguided efforts that can add up over time, not to mention interpersonal conflicts.

If you are the inattentive-distractible type (some call this ADHD-without-the-H) you will have plenty of great ideas, but get pulled off course by too many things to stay laser-focused on your primary goal. The biggest struggles for this type of entrepreneur with ADHD are perfectionism, overthinking, anxiety, and missed opportunities.

The combined type of ADHD might seem to be worse, at face value, because these entrepreneurs have traits of hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattentiveness-distractibility, but in my experience, they often have more confidence about their ability to figure things out and tend to have more resiliency and a healthier relationship with failure.

When it comes to strengths, most entrepreneurs with ADHD can be fast-thinking and fast-acting, have a low boredom threshold, and be able to take risks. They tend to work well under pressure, think well on their feet, and generate out-of-the-box solutions on a regular basis.

On the other hand, there are a few weaknesses associated with ADHD and these are the reasons that some will seek out help in the form of medication, therapy, or ADHD coaching. These include distractibility, difficulty managing interruptions and distractions, and impulsivity. By developing an awareness of how to manage your low boredom tolerance, you can stay motivated and take risks that will move the needle.

Self-awareness and self-acceptance help an entrepreneur stay on track and able to make sound decisions. This starts with knowing what you are good at and leveraging those strengths to your advantage. You might need to delegate tasks that you are not good at or that you find tedious to someone else, such as a personal assistant.

Working with a therapist or coach who specializes in ADHD can also be a great asset in helping you understand yourself better and develop the skills needed to manage your specific challenges and blind spots. Finally, it is important to remember that failure is part of the journey, and learning to bounce back from failure is essential to success.

People with ADHD often have a strong need to make a difference and have an impact, which can be a powerful motivator to succeed. Having a clear understanding of their strengths and weaknesses can help entrepreneurs with ADHD to leverage their strengths and neutralize their struggles. Learning to recognize and understand the way their brain works and the impact ADHD has on their lives can help them to develop more awareness, and steer clear of impulsivity and shiny object syndrome, which will serve them well in their business.

So, if you are wondering if you really do have ADHD and whether it would be worthwhile to get officially diagnosed and seek some kind of treatment, here is my take. There are two good reasons to get a diagnosis: 1) It will help you make the decision to take your ADHD-related struggles more seriously and to make the commitment to getting the systems, structure, and support in place to help you feel and function at your best. 2) You want to try ADHD medication to see if it will help your symptoms.

In my experience, most successful entrepreneurs have traits that overlap with ADHD symptoms, but the difference between having these traits and qualifying for the diagnosis comes down to impairment. If you have the traits but have the self-awareness and have put the structure, systems, and support in place to help you shine instead of struggle, you probably won't meet the diagnostic criteria. This is something many people don't understand. The traits are considered symptoms when they cause impairment - meaning they limit or inhibit your ability to be successful in reaching your goals and getting along with others.

My former career as a licensed psychotherapist, my personal history as a person with ADHD, my history of starting several successful businesses, and my experience working with many entrepreneurs with ADHD traits have all contributed to the understanding that ADHD CAN be a superpower, but you need to truly understand your strengths and struggles and have solid systems and supports in place to bring out your best.

I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments and feel free to reach out with questions. And, if you want to hear more, this week's episode of The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast is devoted to this topic. The episode title is: "Unlocking Entrepreneurial Success with ADHD Using Systems and Support" and is available now on your favorite podcast player.