The Lindsey Anderson Show: Unlocking ADHD Superpowers in Business with Steve August
Release Date: July 1, 2025

Introduction

In the latest episode of The Lindsey Anderson Show, host Lindsey Anderson delves into a transformative conversation with Steve August, a pioneering entrepreneur and ADHD coach. This episode, titled "Unlocking ADHD Superpowers in Business with Steve August," explores how ADHD can be harnessed as a unique advantage in the entrepreneurial landscape. Aimed at entrepreneurs, coaches, and consultants, the discussion offers actionable strategies to overcome common ADHD-related challenges and leverage neurodiversity for business success.

Steve August’s Journey and Motivation (03:28)

Steve August begins by sharing his personal journey, highlighting how undiagnosed ADHD influenced his entrepreneurial path. Despite achieving significant milestones—such as leading a startup to a multimillion-dollar exit and serving as CMO of a $100 million private equity-backed company—Steve grappled with internal struggles like constant overwhelm and indecision. It wasn't until age 54 that Steve was diagnosed with ADHD, which provided clarity and understanding of his persistent challenges. This revelation ignited his mission to assist other entrepreneurs in navigating similar obstacles, ensuring they can maximize their potential without the pitfalls he experienced.

Steve August: "ADHD is around 4 or 5% of the population. But among entrepreneurs, it's more like 25 to 30%." (05:24)

ADHD Prevalence and Its Attraction to Entrepreneurship (05:16 - 06:59)

Lindsey Anderson references a compelling statistic shared by Steve: entrepreneurs are 500% more likely to have ADHD compared to the general population. Steve elaborates on why ADHD traits align closely with the demands of entrepreneurship. ADHD individuals possess a "surplus of attention," enabling them to engage deeply with multiple interests and constantly seek novelty—traits that thrive in the dynamic, ever-evolving entrepreneurial environment.

Steve August: "ADHD brains don't have a deficit of attention. We have a surplus of attention." (05:52)

The entrepreneurial world offers the flexibility, innovation, and constant learning that ADHD minds crave, making traditional corporate environments feel stifling in comparison.

Challenges Faced by ADHD Entrepreneurs (07:17 - 13:21)

Despite the inherent advantages, ADHD entrepreneurs often encounter significant hurdles:

1. Strategic Consistency: ADHD individuals may struggle with sticking to a single strategy, frequently shifting focus to new ideas, which can hinder long-term growth.

   Steve August: "An ADHD brain will be like, 'Well, I got to throw out the whole thing and start with a new idea.'" (07:17)

2. Execution and Completion: Initiating tasks is a common struggle, often leading to projects being started but not completed.

   Steve August: "Every day's a battle... just to get started." (11:41)

3. Decision Paralysis: Making decisions can be time-consuming and exhausting, resulting in delays and inefficiencies.

4. Sustaining Effort: Maintaining momentum over time is challenging, as interest wanes and distractions arise.

Steve emphasizes that these challenges stem from deficits in executive function, which are critical for prioritizing, organizing, and sustaining tasks.

Introducing the Focus Formula: Decide, Do, Sustain (15:23 - 24:15)

To address these challenges, Steve introduces his Focus Formula, a comprehensive system designed to help ADHD entrepreneurs thrive. The formula breaks down into three core components:

1. Decide: Establishing a clear "magnetic north"—a compelling vision or mission statement that anchors decision-making and prioritizes tasks.

   Steve August: "Without that, if we're not reconnecting with that every day... things are hard to decide." (16:22)

2. Do: Implementing actionable strategies during peak cognitive hours. Steve advocates for the "Two-Hour Workday," encouraging entrepreneurs to focus on their most impactful tasks within their optimal productivity window.

   Steve August: "If we only have two hours to give our best shot at during the day, what gets that attention?" (17:27)

3. Sustain: Maintaining consistent effort and momentum, ensuring that strategies are not only implemented but also refined and iterated upon.

Steve’s approach emphasizes working with the brain's natural tendencies rather than against them, fostering a sustainable and productive business environment.

Harnessing ADHD as a Superpower (14:31 - 15:13)

Steve shifts the narrative from viewing ADHD as a limitation to recognizing it as a unique strength in entrepreneurship. ADHD brains excel at:

• Innovative Thinking: Constantly generating new ideas and making connections across diverse fields.
• High Engagement: Passionately evangelizing visions and motivating others, whether they are customers or team members.

Steve August: "Being able to bring people along, whether it's a customer on a sales call, whether it's a potential team member, that is a superpower." (15:13)

These traits foster creativity, adaptability, and the ability to inspire and lead effectively.

Practical Applications and Client Success Stories (18:46 - 23:54)

Steve shares tangible examples of how the Focus Formula has transformed his clients' businesses:

1. Structured Idea Management: Clients learn to prioritize and organize their multitude of ideas, transforming chaos into a coherent pipeline.

   Steve August: "He's got a great pipeline. He had no pipeline. He had a hodgepodge of ideas." (18:54)

2. Accountability through Community: Implementing "body doubling" where entrepreneurs work alongside others, enhancing accountability and reducing procrastination.

   Steve August: "Being able to show up with somebody else... is magic for actually breaking through." (19:58)

3. Leveraging AI Tools: Incorporating AI like ChatGPT to assist with task breakdown, time management, and content creation, thereby mitigating executive function deficits.

   Steve August: "Asking ChatGPT, here's what I want to get across in this sort of tone of voice... can you take a crack at this?" (21:37)

These strategies not only streamline operations but also rebuild clients' confidence in their ability to execute and sustain their business initiatives.

AI and Tools: Enhancing Productivity (21:37 - 23:44)

Steve highlights the pivotal role of AI in supporting ADHD entrepreneurs:

• Project Management: AI tools help in breaking down large projects into manageable tasks, providing clarity and preventing overwhelm.

  Steve August: "Asking ChatGPT or Goblin Tools MagicTodo to break it down... helps prevent overwhelming myself." (22:00)

• Content Creation: Using AI to draft, edit, and refine communications, making the process less daunting and more efficient.

  Steve August: "I will write, I will blurt out stuff... I give it to ChatGPT and say, help me work with this." (22:50)

• Personalization: Over time, AI learns to understand the entrepreneur’s voice and preferences, enhancing the quality and consistency of outputs.

Steve August: "It's starting to really get interesting, is like it starts on its own referrals." (23:43)

These integrations allow ADHD entrepreneurs to focus on their strengths while AI handles the more structured, repetitive tasks.

Final Insights and Mindset Shifts (24:12 - 24:45)

As the episode concludes, Steve imparts a crucial mindset shift for listeners:

Steve August: "Success as an ADHD entrepreneur comes down to working with your brain, understanding and working with your brain." (24:12)

He emphasizes that personal awareness and strategic adaptation are key to transforming ADHD from a perceived obstacle into a powerful asset. By aligning business practices with their unique cognitive styles, ADHD entrepreneurs can achieve unprecedented levels of focus, clarity, and momentum.

Conclusion

This episode of The Lindsey Anderson Show offers a compelling exploration of ADHD as a catalyst for entrepreneurial success. Through Steve August's expertise and practical frameworks, listeners gain valuable insights into overcoming common ADHD challenges and leveraging their neurodiverse traits to build thriving businesses. Whether diagnosed with ADHD or seeking strategies to enhance focus and productivity, this conversation provides essential tools and inspiration for taking entrepreneurial endeavors to the next level.

Notable Quotes:

• Steve August (05:24): "According to some set of studies, ADHD is around 4 or 5% of the population. They think it's a little underdiagnosed. But right now, a lot of studies show if you take entrepreneurs, just take them alone, it's more like 25 to 30%."

• Steve August (05:52): "ADHD brains don't have a deficit of attention. We have a surplus of attention."

• Steve August (07:17): "An ADHD brain will be like, 'Well, I got to throw out the whole thing and start with a new idea.'"

• Steve August (15:13): "Being able to bring people along, whether it's a customer on a sales call, whether it's a potential team member, that is a superpower."

• Steve August (24:12): "Success as an ADHD entrepreneur comes down to working with your brain, understanding and working with your brain."

Resources and Connections:

• Steve August Coaching: steveaugascoaching.com
• LinkedIn: Connect with Steve August
• Newsletter: ADHD Entrepreneurs (800+ subscribers)
• Email: email@steveaugustcoaching.com

Get Involved:

If you’re ready to transform your business by harnessing the power of ADHD or optimizing your systems with strategic precision, consider applying for a free strategy session with Lindsey Anderson. Visit lindsaya.com/apply to secure your spot and start your journey towards impactful business growth.

Stay tuned for more insightful episodes aimed at empowering you to scale your business with ease and precision.