Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks

Episode 94: Claire Thomas

Feb 22, 2025

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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.”