From Jeffrey's Desk...

This newsletter focuses on Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). There is a great deal to be achieved in informing the public about ADD and changing the negative perception of it. What we have found is that there are many successful entrepreneurs with ADD, and we would like to share with you some of what we have learned.

These are typical words of many of our entrepreneurial clients: "I'm a 48-year old CEO running a 25 million dollar company, with a happy and loving family. I have it all -- and, if I had listened to people early in life such as grade school teachers, I wasn't going to be successful. At the rate I was going during my early years, no one could have predicted my success."

For the past 15 years, we have consulted to corporate CEOs and Presidents from very different industries and backgrounds. Yet, despite their differences, we found similar characteristics among many entrepreneurial leaders: they are extraordinarily high-energy, visionary, creative, intelligent, low-tolerance-for-the-mundane people. We believe that many of these very high level decision makers are more than simply full of energy and creativity: They may have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Most likely, you know about ADD and you know someone with those characteristics. Undoubtedly, some of you are able to easily identify ADD. Many people have been conditioned to think of ADD in the negative - as something that is shameful - but CEOs, executives, and entrepreneurs have and are learning to use ADD to their advantage. They've turned themselves and their companies into success stories. Surprised? You shouldn't be. These people are unrelenting, energetic, spirited and multi-task oriented: all classic characteristics of entrepreneurs and, significantly, some of the characteristics of Attention Deficit Disorder as well.

By viewing ADD characteristics positively, you can see how personal awareness of ADD combined with effective structures and self-management can transform it into an advantage.

While three to five per cent of the general public have ADD, we believe as many as 20-30 per cent of people in private entrepreneurial businesses have ADD. We can now understand why so many people with ADD become entrepreneurs. They need a career that allows them to leverage their high energy, gives them the freedom to move (literally and physically) and maximizes their chances of success.

The first step in transforming ADD to a personal asset is to acknowledge the characteristics and identify behaviors that are interfering with achieving your leadership goals, such as a quick temper and inconsistency. Successful leaders learn to channel these behaviors into positive outlets. For example, put structures into place that leverage your distractibility.. Schedule many short meetings on various topics in one day rather than long ones; Be sure the culture you work in values passion and enthusiasm rather than viewing it as an inappropriate display of feeling; delegate implementation tasks to competent team members. Very often a coach who can provide feedback on your style and its impact can help you to understand what is going on and how to change it. We must move beyond the negative stereotype of ADD. There is a great deal to be achieved by transforming ADD into a positive asset. This process is key to building an outstanding organization and an incredible personal success story. For more information on ADD, we recommend " ADD in the Workplace: Choices, Changes and Challenges" by Kathleen G. Nadeau, Ph.D.