Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2009 21:07:14 GMT
saw this and thought we all need to see the positves as well as negatives: ;D
27 September 2006
ADHD and Entrepreneurs: What do Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Donald Trump have in common?
Many successful entrepreneurs have not excelled in the education system, yet governments around the world are attempting to stimulate the creation and development of graduate entrepreneurs. There is a group of young people, those with Attention Deficiency and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), however, who appear to display many of the characteristics and ways of behaving traditionally associated with the entrepreneur. Like entrepreneurs, they tend, also, to under-achieve in the formal education system.
Research by Professor David Kirby at the University of Surrey and Danielle Honeywood, in partnership with the Surrey-based Studio ADHD Centre, suggests a definite link with ADHD and entrepreneurship that would not only help explain why so many successful entrepreneurs are not successful in the education system, but could help identify a potential source of entrepreneurial talent amongst a sizeable group of people* currently regarded as "problems" or "misfits". Hence, the aim of the research is to explore the entrepreneurial tendencies of those with ADHD, compared with other sectors of society, and particularly the "traditional" university student.
The findings reveal that the ADHD group possess more entrepreneurial tendencies than undergraduate students and, like successful entrepreneurs, is more likely to have a right brain learning preference, emphasising their creativity, as well as their ability to think intuitively and laterally. Clearly such findings have implications for the creation of student entrepreneurs, for education and for those with ADHD, suggesting that if the:-
entrepreneurial tendencies of those with ADHD could be harnessed successfully, then it should be possible to increase the number of new venture creations by students and young people
education system is to create more student entrepreneurs, then it needs to change to develop the right-brain capabilities of its students, not just the left as has been traditional
entrepreneurial tendencies of those with ADHD are recognised and harnessed it should be possible to change public perceptions of them and help develop their self-esteem and self-worth
"Such findings have implications not just for the creation of entrepreneurs but for the whole of society, including the creation of an education system that is fairer and does not disadvantage those who are not rational left brain thinkers", said Professor Kirby. "In a modern knowledge economy, it is important that we do not waste resources simply because they do not conform."
Furthermore, research from the University of Southern California has also shown that "there is a genetic link between Entrepreneurship and ADD/ADHD" and as one American medical doctor, Daniel G. Amen, has recognised individuals with ADHD "are people who take risks, need people to help them stay organised, don’t like working for other people, have a lot of energy and are good at multitasking".
* ADHD is believed to be genetically transmitted and the result of a chemical imbalance or deficiency in certain neurotransmitters in the brain. An estimated one out of 25-30 children are believed to have ADHD with boys outnumbering girls by 3:1.
Media enquiries: Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: 01483 689191 or E-mail: p.la@surrey.ac.uk
27 September 2006
ADHD and Entrepreneurs: What do Richard Branson, Bill Gates and Donald Trump have in common?
Many successful entrepreneurs have not excelled in the education system, yet governments around the world are attempting to stimulate the creation and development of graduate entrepreneurs. There is a group of young people, those with Attention Deficiency and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), however, who appear to display many of the characteristics and ways of behaving traditionally associated with the entrepreneur. Like entrepreneurs, they tend, also, to under-achieve in the formal education system.
Research by Professor David Kirby at the University of Surrey and Danielle Honeywood, in partnership with the Surrey-based Studio ADHD Centre, suggests a definite link with ADHD and entrepreneurship that would not only help explain why so many successful entrepreneurs are not successful in the education system, but could help identify a potential source of entrepreneurial talent amongst a sizeable group of people* currently regarded as "problems" or "misfits". Hence, the aim of the research is to explore the entrepreneurial tendencies of those with ADHD, compared with other sectors of society, and particularly the "traditional" university student.
The findings reveal that the ADHD group possess more entrepreneurial tendencies than undergraduate students and, like successful entrepreneurs, is more likely to have a right brain learning preference, emphasising their creativity, as well as their ability to think intuitively and laterally. Clearly such findings have implications for the creation of student entrepreneurs, for education and for those with ADHD, suggesting that if the:-
entrepreneurial tendencies of those with ADHD could be harnessed successfully, then it should be possible to increase the number of new venture creations by students and young people
education system is to create more student entrepreneurs, then it needs to change to develop the right-brain capabilities of its students, not just the left as has been traditional
entrepreneurial tendencies of those with ADHD are recognised and harnessed it should be possible to change public perceptions of them and help develop their self-esteem and self-worth
"Such findings have implications not just for the creation of entrepreneurs but for the whole of society, including the creation of an education system that is fairer and does not disadvantage those who are not rational left brain thinkers", said Professor Kirby. "In a modern knowledge economy, it is important that we do not waste resources simply because they do not conform."
Furthermore, research from the University of Southern California has also shown that "there is a genetic link between Entrepreneurship and ADD/ADHD" and as one American medical doctor, Daniel G. Amen, has recognised individuals with ADHD "are people who take risks, need people to help them stay organised, don’t like working for other people, have a lot of energy and are good at multitasking".
* ADHD is believed to be genetically transmitted and the result of a chemical imbalance or deficiency in certain neurotransmitters in the brain. An estimated one out of 25-30 children are believed to have ADHD with boys outnumbering girls by 3:1.
Media enquiries: Peter La, Press Office at the University of Surrey, Tel: 01483 689191 or E-mail: p.la@surrey.ac.uk