I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was eight. Luckily for me, I had two incredibly supportive and encouraging parents who were determined to help me succeed in school. They couldn’t understand how a child who loved stories and books, with such a natural curiosity, couldn’t read or write. I was always the kid asking "why?" While most children were glued to cartoons, I’d spend my evenings watching the news, fascinated by the world. But after one particularly hard day at school, I gathered all the books in my room, put them outside my door, and announced that I had decided to quit reading altogether.
This kind of experience is what most people think of when they consider dyslexia. But it’s time we shifted that narrative.
Dyslexia is no longer seen purely as a learning difficulty; it’s now recognised as a form of neurodiversity. And that’s a move I fully support. A dyslexic child isn’t "slow" or "stupid." Sure, they may take longer to learn to read or write, but they often excel in other areas. Studies have shown that dyslexics tend to be highly creative with strong problem-solving abilities, and often possess exceptional spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, and out-of-the-box thinking—traits that can lead to groundbreaking ideas and innovations.
In my case, my greatest gift from dyslexia has been my people skills. From a young age, I loved talking to people. I’d chat with the cashier at the grocery store for hours and befriended our local school lollipop man, Tommy, a local hero in his own right. These early interactions honed my ability to connect with others, something that has become invaluable in my professional life at Norman Broadbent. As part of the research team, I often approach potential candidates for new opportunities, and building relationships is crucial. Thanks to my dyslexia, I’ve developed the empathy, communication, and rapport-building skills that make this aspect of my role both fulfilling and effective. My dyslexia has also given me an aptitude for creative problem solving and blue sky thinking. These are all skills I can use to my benefit throughout the mapping stage of a search, and allow me to think of new places to search for the best candidates and ensure that I leave no stone unturned when trying to meet our clients’ needs.
I’m far from alone in viewing dyslexia as a gift. Richard Branson, another notable dyslexic, has often spoken about how his dyslexia and ADHD helped shape him into the entrepreneur he is today. His headmaster once told him he’d either end up a millionaire or in prison. Luckily, it was the former! Branson has said that “Dyslexic Thinking skills such as imagination and communication have helped me so much throughout my career. Without them, Virgin wouldn’t be the brand it is today.”
Branson is right—dyslexic thinking skills can be invaluable, especially in a world where AI and automation can’t replicate some of these unique abilities. It’s no wonder LinkedIn has recently added "dyslexic thinking" as a skill that users can list on their profiles.
At Norman Broadbent, part of our mission is to uncover hidden talent and champion diverse thinking. Diversity isn’t just about gender or ethnicity; it encompasses a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and cognitive styles, including neurodiversity. Dyslexic thinking, in particular, represents a form of cognitive diversity that is often overlooked but holds tremendous value. By embracing neurodiversity, we help our clients tap into a broader spectrum of talent that can drive innovation. In today’s complex business environment, diversity of thought—fuelled by different life experiences, cultural backgrounds, and neurodiverse perspectives—has become essential for success. We need to move beyond seeing dyslexia as a reading and spelling issue and recognise the true benefits dyslexic and other neurodiverse individuals bring to the workplace.
For those looking to support their colleagues, it’s about understanding their strengths and accommodating their needs. Tools like speech-to-text software or flexible reading formats can help remove barriers. More importantly, fostering an inclusive environment where diverse ways of thinking are celebrated will enable dyslexic individuals to thrive.
Dyslexia isn’t a disadvantage; it’s a different way of processing the world, and when embraced, it can become a superpower.