David Neeleman (b.1959) is a Brazilian (until 5)-American businessman and entrepreneur. He has founded five commercial airlines: Morris Air, WestJet, JetBlue Airways, Azul Brazilian Airlines, and Breeze Airways. Along with Humberto Pedrosa and Aigle Azur, he owned 45% of another commercial airline in Europe, TAP Air Portugal. He is estimated to have built up a net worth of $400m.
His brother was diagnosed with ADHD and his Mother suggested he also had ADHD. He talks of learning about ADHD and recognising it in himself. “I was just like wow. that’s me. It was such a relief”. He has been formally diagnosed with ADHD.
Faster Than Normal Podcast (2017)
“I then went on to read about the benefits of having ADD and how it could be a real positive thing. It changed my whole view on everything. I went from thinking I was stupid. Even though I started having success. I had started a company. I was very self conscious. I didn’t really know what I could do in life to be successful”
“When I went to start JetBlue I thought it was really important to talk that I had ADD”
[Talking about talking to Harvard Educators:] “If you give me a magic pill and have it disappear I would never take the pill. I don’t want it to disappear. I think I have an advantage over other people. I think I do better”
“I was officially diagnosed by Ned Hallowell”
[On strategies] “You have to come up with systems….an iPhone is a great tool. You have notes, reminders, lists, and you have to real the priorities. You have to prioritise what you need to do to get done today. Because if you don’t then you’ll never get it done. You’ll never get it done. You have to use those tools. Create a system for you to get things done.”
“I am never a person that took medicine. I tried it a couple of times. I found out so late in life that I was already successful. I was in my mid 30s. Maybe 33 34. So I didn’t have to take it to get through school. So I have never been accustomed to it. I am not saying people shouldn’t be. I am not being judgemental. I have to come up with tricks and things on my own to be able to do those things that I am not good at.”
“In business I surround myself with everybody who are not like me. And they can push back. They can do all that stuff. [I] make sure they compliment all the things all the things that are my weaknesses.”
“People say David comes up with ten really good ideas. Eight are brilliant and two are ridiculously stupid…you have to have people who can vet your stuff….”
“At least my brand of ADD I can just look at very complex problem. See that’s the solution. and the solution is so simple. Just do this this and this and it is done.”
[If you could talk to parents whose children 10,11 years old just been diagnosed with ADHD] “I would tell them that it is a gift if handled correctly. If the educational endeavours are presented properly. These are bright kids. They think differently. They look at the world completely differently.” “You need to find the kids passion”. “But for heaven sakes don’t make them think they are stupid, don’t ever make them think they are a failure. Just because they think different. They are probably going to be more successful than the parents”.