ADHD makes for better entrepreneurs #adhd

Entrepreneurship researcher Johan Wiklund began researching mental health issues due to a family experience. He began looking for ways in which ADHD is a positive experience for people who have it. Very quickly, he began noticing a link between ADHD and entrepreneurship, so he began a research study on the matter.

But it is impulsivity that triggers people with ADHD to act and take risks where other people would wait and see.
~ Marteen Rikken

There are positives to ADHD as children grow to become successful adults.

Wiklund believes that hyperactivity and impulsivity, two hallmark symptoms of ADHD, can actually be a positive attribute for entrepreneurs. Impulsiveness makes people with ADHD take risks in situations that those without it might not. David Neeleman of JetBlue and Virgin owner Richard Branson are two entrepreneurs who have been officially diagnosed with ADHD.

Key Takeaways:

1
Entrepreneurship researcher Johan Wiklund has found that ADHD can be a positive influence on entrepreneurship.
2
ADHD is associated with impulsivity, which can help entrepreneurs with ADHD take risks that others wouldn’t and lead to larger payoffs, but if the associated symptoms become too extreme it can lead to downsides.
3
Famous entrepreneurs who have ADHD include Richard Branson of Virgin and David Neeleman of JetBlue.