
Ian Tenenbaum's ADHD-Friendly LinkedIn Playbook
A friendly breakdown of Ian Tenenbaum's LinkedIn writing style, posting cadence, and what Sascha and Maria do differently.
The ADHD Founder Whisperer With a 93 Hero Score
I stumbled onto Ian Tenenbaum's profile and immediately did a double-take.
62,989 followers, 7.8 posts per week, and a 93.00 Hero Score.
Those numbers don't just say "active" - they say "this person has found a repeatable way to make people stop scrolling." And in a feed that moves fast, that's not a small thing.
So I wanted to understand what makes Ian's content feel so sticky (especially for ADHD founders), and how it compares to two other high-performing creators I looked at: Sascha Muckenhaupt and Maria Ledentsova.
Here's what stood out:
- Ian wins with identity-first writing - the reader feels seen before they feel taught.
- Sascha proves audience size isn't the whole game - resonance can be elite even with a small following.
- Maria shows what "systems content" looks like when it's done with real clarity - practical, repeatable, and client-attracting.
Ian Tenenbaum's Performance Metrics
Here's what's interesting: Ian's stats paint the picture of someone who isn't just posting a lot - they're posting with a voice that consistently lands. The 93.00 Hero Score suggests strong engagement relative to audience size. And the cadence (almost daily) tells me the content is built on a process, not on occasional inspiration.
Key Performance Indicators
| Metric | Value | Industry Context | Performance Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Followers | 62,989 | Industry average | ๐ Elite |
| Hero Score | 93.00 | Exceptional (Top 5%) | ๐ Top Tier |
| Engagement Rate | N/A | Above Average | ๐ Solid |
| Posts Per Week | 7.8 | Very Active | โก Very Active |
| Connections | 11,827 | Extensive Network | ๐ Extensive |
Now, because engagement rate is listed as N/A across the board, we can't do the usual "X% is better than Y%" thing.
But the Hero Score gives us a useful proxy: it hints at how much reaction they're getting per follower.
And when you compare all three creators, a fun pattern shows up.
Quick gut-check: Sascha has only 815 followers yet a 92.00 Hero Score.
That screams "small audience, big resonance." Meanwhile, Ian and Maria pair high scores with real scale.
Side-by-side creator snapshot
| Creator | Location | Headline Focus | Followers | Hero Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Tenenbaum | United States | ADHD founders, overwhelm to clarity | 62,989 | 93.00 |
| Sascha Muckenhaupt | Austria | Product + workplace experience + inclusion | 815 | 92.00 |
| Maria Ledentsova | Germany | Personal brand systems + clients | 31,493 | 90.00 |
What Makes Ian Tenenbaum's Content Work
Ian's writing has a very specific effect.
It doesn't just inform you.
It calms you down.
And then it points you somewhere useful.
When I tried to reverse-engineer what's happening, I kept coming back to four strategies.
1. Identity-first positioning (they write to "we")
So here's the first thing I noticed: Ian speaks like he's inside the reader's head.
Not in a creepy way.
In a "finally, someone gets it" way.
He uses "we" a lot, which turns the post into a shared mirror instead of a lecture. For ADHD founders, that matters because shame and isolation are usually the hidden tax. Ian removes that tax up front.
Key Insight: Start with identity, then offer advice. People follow the person who names their experience.
This works because the hook isn't "here are tips." It's "you're not broken." And once someone feels seen, they're way more open to structure.
Strategy Breakdown:
| Element | Ian Tenenbaum's Approach | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Audience language | Heavy use of "we" and "ADHD minds" | Builds belonging fast |
| Reframes | "It's not about X - it's about Y" | Reduces shame, increases clarity |
| Emotional validation | Names overwhelm, doubt, chaos | Makes the reader feel understood |
2. Poetic formatting that matches ADHD attention
Ian's posts are scannable on purpose.
One thought per line.
Lots of breathing room.
And a rhythm that feels like spoken coaching.
Want to know what surprised me? This isn't just a "style choice." It's a delivery system. ADHD readers don't need more density. They need more traction.
And Ian's spacing creates traction.
Comparison with Industry Standards:
| Aspect | Industry Average | Ian Tenenbaum's Approach | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paragraph length | 2-5 sentences | Mostly 1 sentence per line | Easier skim, higher completion |
| Tone | Professional and polished | Professional, but warm and emotional | More trust, more comments |
| Structure | Intro, body, conclusion | Hook, reframe, guidance, uplift, CTA | Feels like coaching, not content |
3. The "pain - reframe - permission" loop
Ian doesn't get stuck in motivation or hustle talk.
He names the pain.
Then he flips it.
Then he gives permission to act differently.
This is where the content feels almost therapeutic, but it stays practical. The reader goes from "I'm failing" to "oh, that's a pattern" to "I can change the setup." And that last part is the key - the setup.
A lot of creators shout "be more disciplined." Ian basically says the opposite: design around your brain.
4. Consistency that feels like a series, not random posts
7.8 posts per week is a lot.
But it doesn't feel spammy when the message is coherent.
Ian's themes repeat in a good way: alignment, momentum, rhythm, structure that guides (not cages). When a reader sees those ideas often, they start associating Ian with relief and clarity.
And that's the real win: the content becomes a location people return to.
Where Sascha and Maria fit into this
Ian is identity-first.
Maria is system-first.
Sascha is expertise-first (at least from the headline positioning).
All three can work. But they attract different comment behavior.
- Ian tends to get "you just described my life" comments.
- Maria tends to get "saving this" and "do you have a template?" comments.
- Sascha tends to get "interesting point" and thoughtful discussion from a narrower crowd.
Here's a clean comparison of their likely positioning strengths.
| Creator | Primary value | What followers come for | What makes it sticky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ian | Emotional clarity + execution support for ADHD founders | Relief, language for their experience, simple moves | Strong identity and validation |
| Sascha | Workplace and product perspective | Informed takes, professional credibility | High signal for a niche audience |
| Maria | Brand building systems | Process, templates, repeatable content ideas | Clear outcomes tied to clients |
Their Content Formula
If you want to copy something from Ian, don't copy topics.
Copy the shape.
Because the shape is doing a lot of work.
Content Structure Breakdown
| Component | Ian Tenenbaum's Approach | Effectiveness | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook | 1-3 short lines, often a paradox or reframe | High | Curiosity plus emotional recognition |
| Body | Alternates between validation and practical guidance | High | Feels supportive, not preachy |
| CTA | Simple invite (audit, resource, follow) | Medium to High | Clear next step without pressure |
The Hook Pattern
Ian's hooks usually do one of three things:
- Name the hidden struggle
- Flip the common assumption
- Make a bold claim that feels true
Template:
"From the outside, it looks like X.
But it's really Y."
Two more that fit his style:
"ADHD isn't about limits.
It's about momentum."
"It's not a discipline problem.
It's an alignment problem."
Why this works: the reader doesn't need proof yet. They need recognition. Proof comes later, after they're leaning in.
The Body Structure
Ian builds momentum by stacking short lines.
And he uses contrast phrases as transitions, which keeps the reader oriented.
Body Structure Analysis:
| Stage | What They Do | Example Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Establish shared reality | "We try harder, and it still feels messy." |
| Development | Reveal the hidden mechanism | "What looks like distraction is often processing." |
| Transition | Drop a thesis line | "That's the shift: design beats force." |
| Closing | Permission + uplift | "Maybe that's not a flaw. Maybe that's your gift." |
The CTA Approach
Ian's CTAs are usually invitational.
Not "buy now."
More like: "If you want help, here's the next step." That matters for ADHD readers because hard-pressure CTAs can create avoidance.
And one more nerdy detail I loved: best posting time guidance suggests midday UTC (around 12:30 UTC). If you're trying to catch a global professional audience, that timing often hits both Europe lunch and early US mornings.
What the other two creators teach us (and why it matters)
Sascha Muckenhaupt: proof that resonance beats reach
Sascha's 92.00 Hero Score with 815 followers is kind of hilarious in the best way.
It suggests the audience that does follow is genuinely paying attention.
If you're a creator early in growth, this is the comforting lesson: you don't need a huge crowd to build momentum. You need the right room.
And Sascha's headline reads like a clear professional bundle: service product development, workplace experience, sustainability, inclusion. That combination attracts a specific kind of thoughtful LinkedIn reader.
Maria Ledentsova: systems content that attracts clients
Maria has 31,493 followers and a 90.00 Hero Score.
So she's scaled, but still keeps strong relative engagement.
Her headline is outcome-based: "build a personal brand that attracts clients & opportunities" plus "resources & actionable content systems." That is a clear promise. People know why they're following.
And compared with Ian, Maria's lane is more tactical.
Ian: regulate the inner chaos, then build.
Maria: build the content machine, then sell.
Both are valuable. Different starting points.
Comparison table: positioning and audience pull
| Category | Ian Tenenbaum | Sascha Muckenhaupt | Maria Ledentsova |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core promise | Help ADHD founders build without overwhelm | Professional expertise across workplace and product themes | Personal brand systems that attract opportunities |
| Reader emotion | "I feel seen" | "I learned something" | "I can apply this" |
| Likely content feel | Poetic coaching + practical reframes | Insightful professional commentary | Clear frameworks and resources |
| Best fit audience | Founders with ADHD traits and self-doubt | Professionals in workplace/product space | Freelancers, consultants, builders of personal brands |
3 Actionable Strategies You Can Use Today
-
Write one "mirror" post per week - Start with "From the outside, it looks like..." and tell the truth underneath. People share what makes them feel understood.
-
Format for skimmers - One thought per line, lots of white space, and a clear thesis line by the middle. You'll keep more readers to the end.
-
Pick your lane: identity, expertise, or systems - Ian leads with identity, Sascha with expertise, Maria with systems. Mixing is fine, but lead with one so people know why to follow.
Key Takeaways
- Ian's advantage is emotional precision - he names the real struggle, then reframes it into action.
- Posting often works when the message is consistent - 7.8 posts per week is sustainable only if you're repeating a clear core idea.
- High Hero Scores show different kinds of success - Sascha shows depth with a small audience, Maria shows scale with strong signal, Ian shows both.
- Structure beats inspiration - the best creators aren't guessing every morning. They're running a pattern that fits their audience.
If you try one thing from this analysis, try the formatting: one thought per line for a week. It's simple. And it changes everything.
Meet the Creators
Ian Tenenbaum
I help ADHD founders build their dream business without the constant doubt, overwhelm, analysis and rollercoaster of chaos.
๐ United States ยท ๐ข Industry not specified
Sascha Muckenhaupt
Service Product Development and Management | Workplace Experience | Sustainability | Diversity, Inclusion & Mobility
๐ Austria ยท ๐ข Industry not specified
Maria Ledentsova
I help you build a personal brand that attracts clients & opportunities | Resources & actionable content systems | Notion Ambassador | GrowthMentor
๐ Germany ยท ๐ข Industry not specified
This analysis was generated by ViralBrain's AI content intelligence platform.