Ditch the drugs and pitch the investors.
New research suggests ADHD is a great asset for the entrepreneur
Recent research indicates that ADHD may be more of an asset than a liability for entrepreneurs. According to a study from the West Virginia University John Chambers College of Business and Economics, individuals with ADHD may have cognitive patterns that can actually benefit them as entrepreneurs.
Associate Professor Nancy McIntyre explains that the focus should shift from simply considering how ADHD functions to understanding how it functions. The study demonstrates that individuals with ADHD can use their unique cognitive processes to capture and store stimuli from their environment for later use, essentially creating a thick net of resources that can be utilized in business ventures.
McIntyre, who herself has ADHD and was previously the owner of an advertising agency, expresses that the condition can lead to a constant influx of information that can be harnessed and filed away for future use, giving entrepreneurs with ADHD a unique advantage.
Her research also highlights the development of coping mechanisms and routines that help individuals with ADHD process and utilize the large amount of information they encounter on a daily basis. These routines, known as “resource-induced coping heuristics,” are essential for managing the cognitive demands of entrepreneurship.
In addition to recognizing the potential benefits of ADHD for entrepreneurs, McIntyre emphasizes the need to eliminate the stigma associated with cognitive differences and value the unique skills and perspectives that individuals with ADHD can bring to the business world.
For individuals with ADHD who are considering entrepreneurial careers, the research suggests that strengthening their routines for gathering and organizing information can significantly contribute to their success.
Let’s say you have a startup that aims to change the world for growing more food, saving water, solving health problems. Start with an original idea and grow with resources at hand.
