I once had a coach give me a spreadsheet to track student payments. On paper, it was perfect. In practice, I never used it.

I once had a coach give me a spreadsheet to track student payments.
On paper, it was perfect. In practice, I never used it.

This was back when I was doing math tutoring. She tried to walk me through the spreadsheet step by step. I nodded along, said “okay, that makes sense,” and got off the call.

But it didn’t make sense. I built my own system instead.

The problem wasn’t that I couldn’t handle the tool; it just wasn’t designed in a way that worked for me.

👉🏾 This is exactly what happens to many neurodivergent business owners when working with professionals.

We’re given tools, processes, or “proven systems” that may make perfect sense to the professional but feel confusing, frustrating, or impossible to stick with for the client.

Here’s what I’ve personally learned makes the difference:
- Start with what they’re already using. Instead of imposing a system, ask questions. Can what they’re already using be optimized? Can it be clarified?

- Hold back the urge to be “the expert.” I had to unlearn the pull to say “I know best.” Now, I focus on what works for the client, not just what I think should work.

- Make change collaborative. If a new system really is necessary, walk through the shift transparently or, when possible, manage the hardest parts yourself.

Because if the system doesn’t fit the way the client thinks, they won’t use it — no matter how “good” it looks on paper.

For neurodivergent business owners, systems need to adapt to them, not the other way around.