How to Build ADHD-Friendly Systems that Support How Your Brain Works
Episode 943: Show Notes
If traditional business advice has ever felt like it was made for someone else’s brain, you’re not imagining it! This episode is all about building systems that truly support how you think, especially if you’re an entrepreneur with ADHD or leading a neurodiverse team.
Our guest, Latrice Prater, is a neurodivergent CEO and founder of The Digital Solutions Team. In just a few short years, she’s scaled her agency and redefined how women in business approach systems, structure, and success. She shares how her neurodivergence shaped her journey and how you can build a business that works with your brain, not against it. Tune in to discover how to create systems that actually fit the way you work!
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Systems for ADHD Needs to be a Thing
Whether you have ADHD or OCD, building the right system can revolutionize your process. When Latrice started her business, she fell in love with creating systems. She also realized that, as someone with ADHD, systems can make everything so much easier! Doing everything manually sucks. Automation is a game-changer. It reduces your mental load and gives you the support you need to stay on track, especially if you’re neurodivergent.
Building a System for Your Brain, Business, and Budget
What works for the majority of business owners, won’t necessarily work for you, especially if you’re neurodivergent. You need a system that works for your brain, business, and budget. For Latrice, that means a lot of things, including no meetings before 10 AM (because anything before that is too early for her brain), ignoring pressure to use social media, and not following the mainstream definition of success.
Creating Structure for ADHD
One of the things about having ADHD is that you might tend to be inconsistent. Latrice addresses this by relying on a team of contractors to support her. She has created structure in her business by setting up multiple workflows and automation. From anniversaries to meetings, she has automation set up to remind her of all the most important things! She also listens to what her brain needs, whether it’s getting focused and doing deep research or getting a dose of socializing and connection by reaching out to clients.
Giving Your Team Autonomy
Latrice values autonomy and wants to give her team the freedom not to be tied to their computer 24/7. Her teams are client-facing and have their own set of clients to work with. That allows them to set their own schedule for how they do client work. Other than team meetings and co-working sessions, they have the freedom to structure their day the way that they need to, just like Latrice!
Find What Works For You
If you’ve ever used ClickUp, you’ll have an idea of how helpful its comprehensive automation can be but also how overwhelming it can feel to set it all up. So, what can you do to prioritize building systems without feeling discouraged by how big the task feels? For Latrice, it’s all about falling in love with building a system that works so that she can get her client's work done efficiently and effectively.
From Slack to Dubsado, there are a ton of tools out there to choose from; it’s just about finding what works for you. Maybe you’re all about process and need a powerful workhorse like Asana, or you need something a little more fun and inspiring like ClickUp. Take the time to figure out what works for you (and your brain) and you’ll be much more likely to stick with it!
Managing Your Teams
One of the things Latrice struggled with the most when she first started managing her teams was delegation. But because she is neurodivergent, delegation is extremely important, so she had to learn how to do it!
Equally important to her is building strong connections with her team. Many of her contractors run their own businesses, and because she understands their goals, she actively supports their growth. She takes the same intentional approach with her neurodivergent team members, asking how she can support them and leaning into their strengths. Collaboration is central to how she operates, and she prioritizes work her team enjoys. It even impacts her client decisions. For Latrice, it’s not just about managing people; it’s about supporting them as whole humans.
Redefining Success
Latrice’s definition of success has evolved significantly over time. Initially, she thought success had to be tied to specific, measurable goals, like reaching seven figures or hitting ambitious revenue targets. However, she quickly realized that money and financial milestones don’t drive her. Instead, Latrice finds fulfillment in making an impact and providing value through her work.
Whether something works out or not, she prefers to try new things and learn from the experience rather than live with regret. For her, the true measure of success is having the courage to act on ideas and seeing them come to life, regardless of the outcome.
The ADHD Superpower
ADHD can be difficult to manage, but it can also be your superpower! For Latrice, it makes her a creative problem solver and empowers her to see things in a way that other people don’t. It helps her bring systems together, create flows, and workshop problems in totally innovative and surprising ways. Even if it doesn't look like it, her brain is constantly processing and workshopping!
Quote This
“When it comes to other neurodivergent team members, it's easy for me to ask ‘How can I support you?’ and just follow through on that.”
— Latrice Prater
Highlights
Systems for ADHD Needs to be a Thing [0:01:23]
Building a System for Your Brain, Business, and Budget [0:04:33]
Creating Structure for ADHD [0:08:28]
Giving Your Team Autonomy [0:12:59]
Find What Works For You [0:14:56]
Managing Your Teams [0:25:41]
Redefining Success [0:32:38]
The ADHD Superpower [0:35:20]
OUR GUEST:
Latrice Prater
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
Latrice Prater, Neurodivergent CEO and founder of The Digital Solutions Team, transforms female entrepreneurship with her innovative technical solutions. Starting as a solopreneur in 2020, she quickly scaled her business to a thriving agency. Latrice extends her influence through speaking engagements at summits, guest trainings, and podcasts, including her own "Black Girl CEO Problems" blog and the "Unconventional CEOs" podcast, embodying a powerful voice for neurodivergent women in business.
OUR HOST:
Abagail Pumphrey
Boss Project on Instagram | Facebook
Abagail hosts the twice-weekly podcast, The Strategy Hour, which is recognized by INC and Forbes as one of the best podcasts for entrepreneurs.
Key Topics:
ADHD, Systems, Workflows, Automation tools
