Episode 94: Claire Thomas

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!QuestionsJN: What led to your ADHD diagnosis in your late 30s?Realized she ticked more ADHD boxes than her child during their assessmentGrew up with the stereotypical image of ADHD as hyperactive boysDiagnosis changed how she viewed her past struggles with anxiety & executive functionJN: How did ADHD impact your early career?Struggled with traditional work structures & long-term planningExcelled in high-stimulation environments with constant problem-solvingAlways sought fast-moving, complex challenges that kept her engagedJC: What strengths do you lean into as a neurodivergent CEO?Pattern recognition & intuitive problem-solvingRapid decision-making & adaptability in uncertain marketsAbility to connect A to D without needing B & C in betweenJN: What is your "energy credits" system, and how does it help?Created a daily energy credit system (max 100 credits) to prevent burnoutActivities like sleep, movement & hydration "add credits"Overuse of focus or stress "spends credits" and requires recoveryJC: How do you balance high performance with sustainable work habits?Encourages her team to manage energy instead of just pushing productivityUses gamification strategies to make work more engagingHelps employees avoid burnout by tracking “energy debt” over multiple daysJN: What challenges do you still face as a neurodivergent leader?Managing macro time (long-term planning) is still difficultEnsuring that fast-paced decisions don’t leave her team behindBalancing innovation with structured executionJN: What role does AI & automation play in your workflow?Uses AI-generated "ClaireBot" to draft applications & communicationsAutomates decision-making processes to reduce cognitive loadLeverages AI for business insights & streamlining client solutionsJC: What productivity strategies work for you?Uses Jira as a personal Kanban board to track ideas & tasksPrefers momentum-building tasks before tackling hard projectsSchedules clearance blocks for deep focus & reducing backlogJC: What productivity strategies DON’T work for you?“Eat the frog” method (doing the hardest task first)—kills motivationStrict time-blocking—prefers adaptive schedules based on energy levelsForcing linear thinking—thrives on intuitive problem-solving & connectionsJN: What does your morning routine look like?Starts the day by guiding her neurodivergent children through their morning routinesRuns with a work colleague for accountability (3-4 days a week)Externalizes plans visually to offset ADHD-related time blindnessJN: How do you wind down at night?Drinks herbal tea & avoids social media before bedPrioritizes consistency over perfection—acknowledges that routines aren’t always easyManages "galaxy brain" thoughts by externalizing ideas before sleepJN: 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.”More from Focus Bear:Website: https://focusbear.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearappTwitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/focus_bear/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusbearapp/Podcast: https://podcast.focusbear.ioTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@focusbearConnect with Jeremy:LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremyEmail: [email protected] with Joey:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/