Stay Informed, Without the Noise.

Your inbox is full of news. But how much of it is actually useful? The Daily Upside delivers sharp, insightful market analysis—without the fluff. Free, fast, and trusted by 1M+ investors. Stay ahead of the market in just a few minutes a day.

Subscribe today.

Some of my favourite CEOs and founders are neurodiverse or they appear to display the symptoms at least.

• We’ll delve into them

• What we can learn from them and

• How we can apply them to our daily work lives

Let’s go:

1. Innovative Thinking and Problem-Solving

2. Hyperfocus and Energy Use

3. Seeing the Big Picture

4. Creativity and Problem-Solving

Innovative Thinking and Problem-Solving

1) David Neeleman (Founder of JetBlue and Azul Airlines)
Neeleman says ADHD is his "superpower." It helps him see patterns others miss and come up with new ideas that work.

Call to Action: Try looking at problems in new ways. Ask yourself, "What’s another way to do this?" This is also applicable in roles where things have always been done a certain way.

2) Barbara Corcoran (Founder of The Corcoran Group)
Corcoran highlights how her dyslexia has sharpened her ability to overcome challenges and think creatively, helping her succeed as an entrepreneur and real estate leader.

Call to Action:
Turn obstacles into opportunities. When faced with a challenge, ask yourself, “What unique approach can I take to solve this?” Focus on solutions instead of limitations.

• Reframe the Problem: Instead of seeing an obstacle as a dead end, view it as a puzzle. Ask, "What’s one positive outcome I can create from this?"

• Break it Down: Divide the challenge into smaller, manageable tasks. Solving one step at a time makes it less overwhelming

3) Ingvar Kamprad (Founder of IKEA)
Kamprad’s dyslexia inspired IKEA’s unique product names. His ADHD gave him the energy to succeed in the fast-moving retail world.

Call to Action: Find tools or systems that make your work easier, even if they’re different from what others use. Be it:

• Mind maps

• Bullet journaling

• Recording (with consent where appropriate)

Hyperfocus and Energy Use

1) Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla and SpaceX)
Musk, who has Asperger’s, uses intense focus to solve hard problems. This has helped him create groundbreaking companies.

Call to Action: Pick one task and give it your full attention. Break it into small steps and tackle them one at a time.

Multitasking isn’t my strength; I prefer focusing on one task at a time. It helps me conserve energy and build momentum for what’s next.

2) Daniel Ek (CEO of Spotify)
Ek says his ADHD helps him work in bursts of energy. He gets a lot done by focusing when his energy is high.

Call to Action: Notice when you feel most energized and use that time to work on big tasks. Perhaps keep a journal to track this.

My most energized hours are between 9 AM and 2 PM, so I tackle brain-intensive tasks during this window. The afternoon slump conveniently aligns with school pickup time, and after that, I return recharged and ready to dive back into the hustle.

Seeing the Big Picture

1) Richard Branson (Founder of Virgin Group)
Branson calls his dyslexia a "gift" because it helps him focus on big ideas instead of small details.

Call to Action: Think about how your daily work helps with bigger goals. Let the big picture guide what you do. i.e.:

• Vision Boards

• Accountability Partners

• Morning Goal Check-Ins

Creativity and Problem-Solving

1) Tommy Hilfiger (Fashion Designer)
Hilfiger says his dyslexia made him more creative and helped him become a leader in fashion.

Call to Action: Use your unique talents to think outside the box. Don’t be afraid to try new ideas.

2) Paul Orfalea (Founder of Kinko’s)
Orfalea says ADHD helped him think fast and adapt to what customers needed, which made his business successful.

Call to Action: Stay flexible and open to new ways of working. Quick adjustments can lead to success.

Final Thoughts

These leaders show that being ‘different’ isn’t a weakness, it can be a strength! Whether it’s creativity, focus, or seeing the big picture, their stories remind us that our unique traits are powerful.

Call to Action: Consider what makes you unique and how it helps you at work. Celebrate your differences, and use them to shine!

Next week, we’ll begin a two-part series exploring whether to disclose your neurodivergence at work

If you enjoyed this post, or know people who can benefit from it. Please spread the word. They can subscribe at neurodiversediary.io/subscribe

Some stuff I stumbled across on the web this week…

• Federal Policy Changes: Federal jobs may become less diverse and could impact equality initiatives.

• Corporate Retrenchment from DEI: May reduce workplace diversity, and limit opportunities for underrepresented groups.

• Recent Study: Revealed that adults diagnosed with ADHD have a shorter life expectancy compared to those without the disorder.

Lastly,

Stay Different,

The AuDHD Exec

Disclaimer: I am not your psychiatrist, coach, doctor. Neurodiverse Diary does not provide medical services or professional counselling and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Everything I publish represents my opinions, experience, not advice.