The ex-Kellogg CEO who learned he had ADHD at 65 says it had upsides in the corner office

Carlos Gutierrez, the ex-CEO of Kellogg, recently revealed he was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 65. The non-gamer CEO, who once held the title of the youngest CEO at the company, said his late-in-life diagnosis helped him understand his strengths and weaknesses. Gutierrez, who is also a former Secretary of Commerce, attributed his impulsiveness, excess energy, procrastination, and disorganization to ADHD.

However, he also noted that some of these traits were beneficial, such as pattern thinking, connecting with people, curiosity, and hyper-focus. Gutierrez believes being in top leadership roles is often beneficial for people with ADHD because they receive a strong support system that compensates for their weaknesses. He highlighted the importance of having schedulers, handlers, executive assistants, and coaches in top leadership positions.

Gutierrez's new book, "Sheer Will," delves into his early childhood in Cuba, leadership lessons, and how he transformed Kellogg by shifting focus from traditional products to higher-margin ones. He advises the next generation of leaders to know themselves and take advantage of treatment if they are diagnosed with any learning challenges.