Did you know that dyslexic thinking can be a valuable skill in the workplace? Unique strengths such as innovation, lateral thinking, complex problem solving and interpersonal skills, which are sought after in the era of AI and technology, are often associated with dyslexic thinking. Despite this, nine out of 10 dyslexics say their organisation needs to learn more about it, according to Made By Dyslexia, a global charity. Founder and CEO of the organisation, Kate Griggs, says one in five people are dyslexic, making it the largest neurodiversity. Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an initiative that aims to challenge misconceptions and celebrate the talents of neurodiverse people worldwide. Kate Griggs outlines the power of dyslexic thinking and why it is such a valuable skill in the workplace. Check out her video below. You can also learn more in Kate Griggs's LinkedIn Learning course, Empowering Dyslexic Thinking, here: https://lnkd.in/gyZ3-Q8M And check out Kate Griggs's interview with LinkedIn News UK here: https://lnkd.in/ggVA8xXi Neurodiversity Celebration Week runs from 18-24 March. ✍ Jennifer Ryan 📽 Solange Uwimana
Tim El-Sheikh
9mo
I became a tech entrepreneur in 2001 and was always accused of being "different" or "seeing things differently" or even outride rude. Yet, it was the reason I predicted things correctly in the highly competitive and high-pressure tech environments. It allowed me to move into sectors early before the hype cycle. For example, I focused on AI since 2004 and, in 2018, I started working on building my current company that focuses on responsible AI and AI ethics. Both were well before AI became a thing. The bottom line is that I see my "disability" as a perk and an advantage. Hence, when I select people to join my team, I never look at their qualifications (frankly I don't care about certification). I look at how they think. Their creativity, their perks! I tell candidates: "Don't show me your PhDs. I want to see how you can solve this problem and demonstrate to me that you can think outside the box". As a result, I've had the privilege of working with some amazingly intelligent and creative people who made me a better innovator myself. I posted on LinkedIn a few days ago that some people use AI to hide their perceived weaknesses. I use AI to empower mine and show it to the world unapologetically!
Nanna S Soenya
9mo
It’s so important to highlight and focus on the value of neurodiverse thinking and abilities especially in the workplace. Today we all look back at extraordinary people and ask ourselves (we’ll I do at least) was that person neurodiverse because that’s the only way I can explain how they managed that incredible thing they were able to invent, achieve, write, imagine. I grew up with a few friends who are dyslexic and unfortunately it was back, then counted as a deficit rather than a strength that could help them achieve great things. We have a long way to go and a lot of educating to do about Neurodiversity. But Initiatives like Made By Dyslexia are such amazing beacons when it comes to that.
Ben Fielding
9mo
Dyslexic individuals often excel in areas such as innovation, lateral thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, all of which are increasingly prized in our technologically driven era. Despite the advantages of dyslexic thinking, traditional recruiting methods often fail to recognise and capitalise on these unique strengths. The emphasis on standardised assessments, rigid selection criteria, and linear thinking inadvertently excludes many dyslexic individuals from consideration.
Em Stroud
9mo
There is something magical about celebrating all of how we all think and see the world. My dyslexic brain allows me to see things and explore angles that to other non dyslexic thinkers may not see. If I look at my creative path to being a founder a lot of the choices I have made relate directly to how I am wired. When I was younger it was missed that I had dyslexia - my first essay at uni was spotted - I was tested and then my world changed. It allowed me to understand that I was not "stupid" or indeed lacking in intelligence - it just means that somethings (especially spelling the word dyslexia itself - I do comedy and that still boggles my mind that this was the best word choice for what I have ! 😂 ) are not as easy to me -tech helps a lot! The power in business in harnessing our differences is what I am seeing more and more.. it is exciting to see how the world is changing and embracing all of us.
Sarah Goodall
9mo
Wow - 80% of dyslexic people leave school without their dyslexia identified. I can't begin to imagine the silent struggle they may face at school every single day. Our 8 year old daughter is a dyslexic thinker and struggles a lot at school but she's resilient, persistent and a great communicator. She spots patterns that others don't see. We're slowly unlocking and identifying how she learns but when we do, there's no stopping her e.g. How to spell MONDAY - Mummy Only Needs Dogs And Yoyos.
Nina Lockwood
9mo
I love the term 'dyslexic thinkers', which emphasises to me that this is a 'behaviour' rather than a label that society puts on someone without really understanding what it means. There is clearly alot more education to be done - especially to remedy the fact that 80% of dyslexic thinkers leave school unaware that they are, in fact, a dyslexic thinker. And more videos like this please, in more main stream video, so that the benefits/positive elements of neurodiversity are better understood!
Cristina Galindo
9mo
So important to continue highlighting the value of #diversity in the #workplace and the contributions of colleagues with different skills. It’s harder to manage and work with people that think differently but when you work inclusively the whole team wins as you access ideas and solutions you would have otherwise missed. Through our work at The Insurance Families Network in partnership with GAIN (Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment & Neurodiversity) we have also been able to help #parents of #neurodivergent children as it’s indeed genetic. Sometimes it’s the #neurotypical who feel left out!
Carmen Franklin
9mo
In my work as a Senior HR & L&D professional, I encountered a number of individuals who struggled with dyslexic thinking, writing and even speaking. I found them to be very creative at finding ways to cope with their silent challenge, whilst performing in their roles. Many were embarrassed to mention it or to seek help after years of being told they were different to others and left to get on with it. To help I included one question in private 1:1 Coaching and Development sessions. Have you ever felt that you may have experienced a form of dyslexic? This provided an avenue for individuals to open up and speak. One individual was diagnosed after previously having obtained a PhD, and became a spokes person, raising awareness that encouraged others to stop hiding and to seek help. Some things implemented included: Testing with individual assessments. Training with Neurodiversity professional practitioners. As a result many individuals were able to find easier ways to improve and manage the patterns that restricted their abilities. Become less self-critical, and build on their courage having come so far. I commend them all.
Companies/businesses always say they are looking for creativity and lateral thinkers. Well, this is what people who have dyslexia have in abundance. Why - because they have had to find ways to do things - writing letters, reports, reading etc that come easily to many in different ways - and generally without disclosing they have dyslexia. if you want a creative, lateral-thinking workforce make sure you have some people with dyslexia in your team. As someone with dyslexia who got to the top of my profession, I know how hard it was then - it is easier now as we invite people to talk about it - but it is still very tough.
Our company has benefited immensely thanks to talented staff and the impact their “dyslexic thinking” has on our team.