Leading Beyond Limits: Understanding and Embracing ADHD

In this episode of Access Your Leadership, Hakim has the pleasure of speaking with Ian Tennenbaum, the founder and executive coach at Accountable Live. Ian’s work focuses on helping clients with ADHD navigate the challenges of overthinking, building follow-through, and taking meaningful action in their lives and careers.

Ian shares his personal journey of resilience and transformation, highlighting how understanding his own ADHD has been pivotal not only in reshaping his life but also in shaping the work he does with his clients. He recounts his early struggles, from dropping out of college to facing ups and downs in his professional and personal life. Over time, Ian discovered the importance of building awareness, creating systems, and fostering self-compassion to overcome these challenges.

Through the conversation, Ian emphasizes the value of scaffolding—structuring support systems to help individuals with ADHD strengthen their skills and build habits for long-term success. He also delves into the importance of self-compassion, explaining how it helps break cycles of shame and allows for a more empowering perspective on challenges. Ian’s insights into how ADHD impacts not just work but also personal relationships underline the significance of open communication and shared understanding.

Ian's discussion with Hakim also touched on broader themes of leadership and self-awareness, exploring how these qualities are essential for navigating not just ADHD but any challenges in life and business. By fostering awareness, reframing struggles, and building the right tools and systems, Ian demonstrates how leaders can empower themselves and others to thrive.

This episode is a reminder that challenges, when understood and addressed with the right approach, can become catalysts for growth and transformation. Whether you’re managing ADHD or looking to develop stronger self-leadership skills, Ian’s story offers practical wisdom and inspiration for the journey ahead. Enjoy!

Feedback (I/we want to hear from you):

You can connect with Ian Tenenbaum on LinkedIn.

Click here to visit the website to learn more about Ian and his work. 

Did this podcast spark something in you or get you to take action in some way? I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback on our conversation. You can hit me up on Instagram @lakhdar_coaching, LinkedIn: /hakimlakhdar, Twitter @LakhdarCoaching, and Facebook/LakhdarCoaching

I’m always looking to connect with people who are passionate about leadership as well as companies who value and support strong leaders in their own organization. If that’s you or you know someone then drop me a line at [e-mail] 

Check out previous episodes of Access Your Leadership on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.