March marks Neurodiversity Celebration Week. A time to recognise, understand and celebrate the different ways our brains work.
For us here at Jennison Accounting, this year feels a little more personal.
Just before Christmas, our Managing Director, Claire, received a diagnosis of ADHD and possible autism. Around the same time, her daughter was diagnosed too.
It’s funny how a few words on paper can suddenly explain years of “oh… so that’s why I’m like this” moments.
The diagnosis hasn’t changed Claire. It hasn’t altered her capability, her drive, or her leadership. What it has done is provide clarity.
The “Oh, That Makes Sense” Moments
The hyperfocus that kicks in during January chaos.
The brain that jumps between ideas at lightning speed.
The tendency to overthink decisions long after everyone else has moved on.
The ability to disappear into detail and resurface hours later, having spotted something no one else did.
For years, those traits were just “how Claire works.” Now they make sense in a new way. And that understanding has been powerful.
ADHD as an Accounting Superpower
There’s a common misconception that neurodiversity is something to be managed or minimised in business.
We see it differently.
In accounting, attention to detail isn’t optional; it’s essential. The ability to concentrate deeply, question inconsistencies and notice the small things others skim past can make a real difference to clients.
Claire’s ADHD means:
- She hyperfocuses on complex numbers
- She spots patterns and anomalies quickly
- She is incredibly thorough
- She doesn’t let something “almost right” slide
Some days, that intensity is exhausting. Other days, it’s her biggest strength. And in a profession where precision matters, those strengths are invaluable.
Different Doesn’t Mean Less Capable
Neurodiversity isn’t about limitation. It’s about difference.
Different ways of processing information.
Different ways of leading.
Different ways of solving problems.
Running a business with a neurodivergent brain doesn’t mean doing it wrong. It means doing it differently. And often, that difference is exactly what sets you apart.
Creating Space for Different Minds
As a business, this experience has reinforced something we’ve always believed:
There is no single “right” way to think.
Leadership doesn’t have to look one way. Productivity doesn’t have to feel one way. Success doesn’t follow one formula.
Understanding how you work, whether through diagnosis or self-awareness, gives you the power to build systems, support and structure around your strengths.
And that applies not just to business owners, but to teams too.
When people feel understood, they thrive.
You’re Not Alone
Claire has shared her diagnosis because she knows so many people are quietly navigating similar journeys.
- Parents
- Business owners
- Team members
- Leaders.
Sometimes it takes a formal diagnosis to validate what you’ve always felt. Sometimes it simply gives language to experiences you’ve never quite been able to explain.
If this resonates with you, please know:
Different brains are not broken brains.
They are capable, creative, analytical, empathetic and strong.
And in many cases, they hold incredible strengths.
At Jennison Accounting, we believe great businesses are built by real people, with real stories, real challenges and real strengths.
Neurodiversity isn’t something to hide. It’s something to understand.
And sometimes, it might just be your superpower.
