The Business Benefits of ADHD

Learn how ADHD traits can boost creativity, productivity, and innovation in business.

By Steve Ollington

The Opportunity in ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is seen by some as a challenge at work. But this view misses the many strengths that people with ADHD can bring to a business. By leveling-up our understanding, we will learn that ADHD thinking styles are an asset that offers real advantages for success.

Why ADHD Can Thrive in Modern Workplaces

Today's workplaces need people who are flexible, creative, and quick problem-solvers. Many individuals with ADHD naturally have these skills. They often think differently and bring fresh ideas, which fits well with jobs that need constant change and innovation. Sectors like technology, media, and business start-ups have already seen how valuable people with ADHD can be in driving new ideas and growth.

The Flip Side of Common ADHD Challenges

ADHD is linked with certain challenges, but these can also be strengths, as covered by renowned ADHD expert, Dr Ed Hallowell, summarised briefly below:

Distractibility as Curiosity and Creativity: When people with ADHD are distracted, they often explore many ideas, which can lead to exciting new solutions.
Impulsivity as Decisiveness and Action: Their quick decision-making can be a big advantage in fast-moving workplaces.
Restlessness as Initiative and Determination: Their high energy, when focused, can push projects forward and create momentum.

People with ADHD are good at spotting problems that others might miss. They tend to challenge traditional ways of doing things and suggest smarter, faster solutions, with fresh ways of thinking that help businesses stay flexible to constantly improve.

By offering the right support businesses can turn these traits into major assets. That right support comes from implementing ADHD appropriate reasonable accommodations, much of which really just comes down to increased understanding about ADHD.

Case Studies: ADHD in Action

Here are some real-world examples showing how businesses have benefited from the talents of people with ADHD:

Specialisterne

Specialisterne hires individuals with ADHD for tasks like software testing and data management. Their strong pattern-spotting skills have helped the company deliver more accurate results, leading to partnerships with major firms like SAP.

Ernst & Young (EY)

At EY’s Neuro-Diverse Centres of Excellence, employees with ADHD have improved work in areas like automation and cybersecurity. Their creative thinking has led to quicker solutions and happier clients.

Ryman

The UK stationery retailer Ryman worked with Exceptional Individuals to create ADHD-friendly hiring processes. This led to better customer service, stronger teamwork, and improved performance during busy times.

SAP – Autism at Work Programme

SAP’s inclusion programme, while mainly for people with autism, also includes employees with ADHD. The company found their Neurodivergent team members to be 90% to 140% more productive than their peers.

JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase has seen success from neurodivergent inclusive teams, which, in the same report, showed increased productivity of 1.2x to 1.4x compared to traditional teams.

And others…

Microsoft UK and GCHQ are intentionally hiring neurodivergent staff for their differences in thinking
Hewlett Packard (HPE) has found neurodivergent employees to excel at problem-solving and innovation
A vast number of companies including the likes of Google, Sky, Lloyds Bank, Unilever, and even Rolls Royce have signed up to membership with Neurodiversity in Business, demonstrating a commitment to more neuro-inclusive hiring

And then at the entrepreneurial level, you have:

Richard Branson stating that leveraging his ADHD helped him to build his business empire
Peter Shankman, founder of HARO and more crediting ADHD for his success
Kayla Itsines explaining how she used her ADHD traits to develop the globally successful Sweat fitness app
Ingvar Kamprad expressing the positive link between his ADHD and founding IKEA
David Neeleman, founder of JetBlue Airways (and CEO of other airlines), speaking of how ADHD can be a gift in business if you have the right people around you.

These examples show that businesses can gain real benefits by welcoming neurodivergent talent, and how when it comes to the working environment, ADHD should be viewed for not just its challenge areas, but its strength areas too.

The ROI of ADHD Awareness

Supporting ADHD in the workplace means those employees will be able to utilise their strengths to the benefit of the company, helping towards:

Higher Productivity: With the right tools and support, employees can work at their best.
Lower Turnover: A supportive environment leads to happier employees and better retention.
More Innovation: Different ways of thinking bring new ideas that help businesses stay ahead.

Seeing ADHD not as a barrier but as a source of strength helps businesses become more adaptable and inventive. Leaders who embrace neurodiversity will find that the flip side of ADHD holds untapped potential to power their future success - the way to go about this isn’t complicated, it’s just about increased awareness and better understanding of people with ADHD.

About the author

Steve Ollington is studying a PhD at Swansea University, on the pros and cons of ADHD in the workplace. He is ADHD himself, and therefore writes based on a combination of lived experience and the learnings from his research.

The Flip Side: Why Understanding ADHD Could Be An Asset To Your Business