The conversation about neurodiversity is wide open these days and for me as a business owner I find it interesting how this plays out not just in my family life (I myself have a neurodivergent son), but in the professional world of entrepreneurism too.

 

Thanks to global giants such as Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Richard Branson talking openly about their neurodiversity, it’s becoming more evident that the challenges faced by them as entrepreneurs have also been pinned as their super-power, shaping their leadership style and their innovative approaches to problem solving throughout their business.

 

It’s thought that somewhere between 15-20% of the UK population may be neurodiverse, so how can those running businesses as a neurodivergent CEOs channel the success of the big-hitters and run more successful, organised and efficient businesses? Here’s some examples of how teams, tools and time management can help.

 

All business owners get to a stage where they need to hire a team to grow, but the significance of this for the neurodivergent CEO is even more important. Having the right people around you that complement your weakness with their strength is key. Maybe this is a customer facing exec, or a project manager. A robust hiring process will pay off over the long term, so take time to get this right and keep reviewing your team on a regular basis.

 

Staying organised is important no matter what size business you have, but as a neurodivergent CEO this may be an area you struggle with more than others. Leaning on technology to streamline certain tasks in your business can be a massive help to your productivity. Platforms such as ClickUp provide easy to use project management tools with trackable progress that’s visible across all of your projects and teams. If technology isn’t your best friend, then creating a daily, weekly and monthly plan of action can help you to keep focused on the most important tasks. Blatant plug here – my 90 Day Business Action Planner is a great way of keeping on track of your tasks and goals. Check it out here!

 

Developing your systems and processes so they can be streamlined and made more efficient in daily use is a really big factor for the neurodivergent CEO. Doing this will reduce the risk of overwhelm that can come with the admin associated with running a business. Try out Dubsado if you’re automating client onboarding or managing bookings. It really does save you time and I use it for my meeting scheduling, onboarding and contract completions too.

 

Looking after your mental health as a neurodivergent CEO is more important than ever. Exhaustion and burnout from masking or overcompensating in the workplace can have serious repercussions for your business and your health. Build time into your schedule for relaxation time and fun to keep you balanced and fit to lead.

 

Finally, the most important thing you can do as a neurodivergent CEO is to recognise and leverage your unique strengths and abilities to make the most of your neurodiversity and contribute to the success of your business. Like Bill, Richard and Elon, you have the ability to bring a unique perspective and approach to your business that can drive success. What can you do differently to help you and your business to thrive? If you’re keen to get more support in your business I’m here and ready to help. My aim is to help creative CEOs like you, build successful and stable businesses – my expertise in operations, strategy and planning can help you reach your business goals quicker and with better efficiency. I have developed a range of online tools and resources which you can check out here, or feel free to book in for a coffee chat and we can discuss your unique challenges.