More business owners and CEOs are recognising ADHD traits in themselves — and many are starting to share that openly. Whether they’ve been formally diagnosed or not, those traits can have a big impact on how they lead, plan, communicate, and make decisions.
And it’s not just leaders. If you work with or for someone who has ADHD — whether they’re your CEO, business owner, or a client — understanding how ADHD shows up at work can make all the difference.
Because here’s the truth: ADHD isn’t about laziness or lack of discipline. It’s about a brain wired for interest, not order. That can mean big ideas, rapid action, and bold direction — but it can also mean missed details, zig-zag timelines, or communication gaps.
This article is here to help you understand those traits, and more importantly, learn how to work with them — not battle against them.
These insights are designed to make everyone’s lives easier and the business run more smoothly. Whether you’re part of a team, a service provider, or a long-term collaborator, these tools can help you create a more supportive, productive, human-first working relationship.
🔟 10 Ways to Work Better With an ADHD Business Owner
1. They can be disorganised and messy
If your business owner seems to constantly misplace things, jump between ideas, or struggle with admin and follow-through — that’s real. It’s not lack of care or effort. ADHD often comes with executive dysfunction, which affects planning, working memory, and task-switching.
📌 How to help: Use shared tools, document next steps clearly, and follow up kindly when needed.
2. Time works differently for them — especially future time
Time blindness is common with ADHD. Your CEO might be late, underestimate how long things will take, or get tunnel-visioned into one task and lose track of everything else.
📌 How to help: Use shared calendars, visual timelines, and gentle deadline reminders to bring time back into focus.
3. Out of sight really can mean out of mind
If your business owner seems to “forget” about a task, project, or even you — it’s likely not personal. Things that aren’t visible or front-of-mind often slip off the radar.
📌 How to help: Keep important updates visible. Use status check-ins, dashboards, or agreed reminders to keep things top-of-mind.
4. They might get distracted by shiny ideas
ADHD brains love novelty. That means your CEO might pivot quickly, chase a new idea mid-project, or start something before the last thing’s finished.
📌 How to help: If you notice a tangent forming, gently ask: “Does this connect to our main goal?” Help anchor them back without dampening the creative spark.
5. Perfectionism can slow things down
Many ADHD business owners experience perfectionism that causes analysis paralysis, nitpicking, or difficulty handing things over. It’s not about being controlling — it’s about fear of failing or getting it wrong.
📌 How to help: Offer structured choices, reassure them when something is “good enough,” and help them move things forward with confidence.
6. Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) is real
RSD means emotional overreaction to perceived criticism or rejection. Your CEO might take feedback hard, over-apologise, or shut down. It’s intense — and not always rational.
📌 How to help: Be mindful of tone, focus on the work not the person, and offer reassurance. You’re not walking on eggshells — you’re building trust.
7. Consistency is hard — even when they’re trying
The same task might feel easy one week and impossible the next. That’s not flakiness — it’s how ADHD energy and executive function can fluctuate, especially during stress or burnout.
📌 How to help: Build routines and workflows that don’t rely on them being “on” all the time. Your structure supports their success.
8. Boundaries benefit everyone
Your CEO might message late at night, overpromise, or push beyond healthy limits — but clear boundaries help both sides.
📌 How to help: Set clear working hours, check-in rhythms, and response time expectations. Boundaries = more headspace for everyone.
9. You can support without stepping in to rescue
ADHD leaders value autonomy, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need support. There’s a fine line between helping and taking over.
📌 How to help: Ask what support looks like to them. Keep checking in — and offer support that respects their agency.
10. Celebrating milestones matters more than you think
ADHD business owners often forget to acknowledge progress — especially the small wins. But motivation in ADHD is often fuelled by dopamine and feedback.
📌 How to help: Celebrate team wins, give regular positive feedback, and create space to pause and reflect. It builds momentum.