Research tells us that dyslexic thinking skills, the strengths that come with dyslexia, can be a huge career advantage. Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Keira Knightley and Holly Willoughby are among the extremely successful women who’ve spoken out about their dyslexia – with Holly Willoughby describing it as her ‘superpower’.

And they’re not the only ones. Some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs are dyslexic – Sir Richard Branson, Barbara Corcoran and Jo Malone to name but a few – and research found that 40% of entrepreneurs are dyslexic. This is because dyslexics think differently to others, allowing them to see around a problem to reach new, innovative solutions.

The way we work is rapidly transforming as AI and other technologies disrupt the workplace. To meet the demands of today, employers are increasingly looking to hire individuals with the ‘soft skills’ that AI simply can’t replicate.

Big-picture thinking, strategic problem-solving, emotional intelligence and creative thinking are among these ‘soft skills’ – and these are all dyslexic thinking skills. Let’s take a closer look at the specific skills dyslexic thinkers have.

• Dyslexic thinkers are great at imagining. In an organisation, dyslexics who excel at imagining drive innovation. They come up with new ideas and approaches that no one else has thought of – because they see the world differently – and this helps to move businesses forward.
• Dyslexics who are good at visualising will be able to see complex user journeys or project plans come together in their minds. They may excel at product development, visualising how parts fit together, and seeing that object from multiple angles in their mind. Or ‘see’ how a business opportunity could be.
• Dyslexics have great reasoning skills, making them problem solvers. We can cut through the noise, rather than getting stuck in the details and think our way around problems. A huge advantage of having a dyslexic in a team or on a project is that they make connections across complex issues, subjects and data, which others don’t see.
• Dyslexic thinkers have great communication skills. We excel in empathising, negotiating and expressing ourselves orally. We’re highly self-aware. These skills help make dyslexic thinkers great leaders who can build, support and empower teams, people and organisations.
• Dyslexic minds energise a workplace. We have a curiosity for finding out new things, learning new skills, uncovering different ways to do things and seeking out innovative solutions to problems. Our energy and passion can be infectious and it inspires our team and colleagues. 

Dyslexic thinking skills are a direct match for the top five skills outlined in the World Economic Forum’s Top Skills of 2023 report, and organisations are calling out for candidates with these skills. In 2022, LinkedIn added ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ as a skill you can add to your profile. So it’s time to shout about it.

It’s important to remember that no two dyslexics are the same, and we all have a different pattern of strengths and challenges. This inability to fit neatly into a box can be difficult for employers who are keen to support and empower their dyslexic coworkers. That’s why it’s so important for you, as a dyslexic, to explain your individual pattern of strengths and challenges, and what you need to lean into your dyslexic thinking to be able to do your best work.

Global charity Made By Dyslexia’s resources page has a brilliant ‘Dyslexic Thinking Passport’ template, which helps you to outline your strengths, challenges and needs to share with colleagues and managers. 

Below, I share four essential career growth tips for dyslexics to keep in mind.

Don’t force yourself into a box. Remember that everyone is unique and that there’s power in this. We have our own patterns of strengths and challenges, and when we lean into this, and share this with others, we will thrive.

Figure out your personal strengths and lean into them. It is vital that dyslexics focus on what we’re naturally good at and love to do. Because when we lean into our strengths and passions, we become experts and the best in the field. 

Spending hours trying to get better at things you find difficult really isn’t productive. Your kryptonite will be someone else’s superpower, so delegate, ask for help or make use of AI and tech to fill your skills gaps. 

Kate Griggs is the founder and CEO of the global charity Made By Dyslexia, host of the Lessons in Dyslexic Thinking podcast and the author of This is Dyslexia (Penguin) and Empowering Dyslexic Thinking at Work, a free access course on LinkedIn Learning.

Images: Adobe