Welcome to episode #94! We’re thrilled to be joined by Claire Thomas today.

Claire Thomas is the CEO and founder of Impact Group, a fast-scaling consulting firm that went from a solo startup to a 50-person, $12 million company in just two years. A 2024 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion and finalist for CEO of the Year, Claire brings deep expertise in business transformation, leadership, and public sector consulting.

Diagnosed with ADHD in her late 30s, Claire’s leadership now prioritizes energy management, neurodivergent-friendly workplaces, and gamified productivity strategies. With over 45% of her team identifying as neurodivergent, she is redefining what it means to build an inclusive, thriving business.

In this episode, we explore how ADHD fuels innovation, why energy management matters more than time, and how neurodivergent leadership is shaping the future of work.

Welcome to the show, Claire!

Questions

JN: What led to your ADHD diagnosis in your late 30s?

• Realized she ticked more ADHD boxes than her child during their assessment
• Grew up with the stereotypical image of ADHD as hyperactive boys
• Diagnosis changed how she viewed her past struggles with anxiety & executive function

JN: How did ADHD impact your early career?

• Struggled with traditional work structures & long-term planning
• Excelled in high-stimulation environments with constant problem-solving
• Always sought fast-moving, complex challenges that kept her engaged

JC: What strengths do you lean into as a neurodivergent CEO?

• Pattern recognition & intuitive problem-solving
• Rapid decision-making & adaptability in uncertain markets
• Ability to connect A to D without needing B & C in between

JN: What is your "energy credits" system, and how does it help?

• Created a daily energy credit system (max 100 credits) to prevent burnout
• Activities like sleep, movement & hydration "add credits"
• Overuse of focus or stress "spends credits" and requires recovery

JC: How do you balance high performance with sustainable work habits?

• Encourages her team to manage energy instead of just pushing productivity
• Uses gamification strategies to make work more engaging
• Helps employees avoid burnout by tracking “energy debt” over multiple days

JN: What challenges do you still face as a neurodivergent leader?

• Managing macro time (long-term planning) is still difficult
• Ensuring that fast-paced decisions don’t leave her team behind
• Balancing innovation with structured execution

JN: What role does AI & automation play in your workflow?

• Uses AI-generated "ClaireBot" to draft applications & communications
• Automates decision-making processes to reduce cognitive load
• Leverages AI for business insights & streamlining client solutions

JC: What productivity strategies work for you?

• Uses Jira as a personal Kanban board to track ideas & tasks
• Prefers momentum-building tasks before tackling hard projects
• Schedules clearance blocks for deep focus & reducing backlog

JC: What productivity strategies DON’T work for you?

• “Eat the frog” method (doing the hardest task first)—kills motivation
• Strict time-blocking—prefers adaptive schedules based on energy levels
• Forcing linear thinking—thrives on intuitive problem-solving & connections

JN: What does your morning routine look like?

• Starts the day by guiding her neurodivergent children through their morning routines
• Runs with a work colleague for accountability (3-4 days a week)
• Externalizes plans visually to offset ADHD-related time blindness

JN: How do you wind down at night?

• Drinks herbal tea & avoids social media before bed
• Prioritizes consistency over perfection—acknowledges that routines aren’t always easy
• Manages "galaxy brain" thoughts by externalizing ideas before sleep

JN: Where can people connect with you?

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-m-thomas/

JC: Final words for the audience?

• “Manage energy, not time. You can’t borrow from tomorrow forever.”
• “Success isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing what works for you.”
  
  

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