# 1.1 Dyslexic strengths in the workplace

## #dyslexicthinking

‘Dyslexic thinking’ is a term that you can find defined in online dictionaries, and it was recently added as a skill on LinkedIn. This is recognition of the power of dyslexic thinking, in the workplace and more broadly; dyslexic thinking is crucial to society. As discussed earlier in this course, many prominent entrepreneurs and inventors are dyslexic (35% in the US and 20% in the UK), and their unique methods have led to key innovations and societal contributions.

Research from London’s Cass Business School describes a range of skills among dyslexic people, e.g. vision and determination, oral communication, problem-solving, delegation, and spatial awareness (Logan, 2009). Dyslexic strengths can often revolve around the ability to ‘think outside the box’ with enhanced creative thinking and problem-solving skills (Eide and Eide, 2023). But of course, these traits will vary and manifest differently between individuals.

For instance, people with dyslexia can be skilled at any of the following (not an exhaustive list!):

- problem-solving (e.g., dyslexic entrepreneurs are good at the early problem-solving stage in business)
- spatial reasoning, seeing spatial objects and spatial awareness (e.g., good for mechanical/building trades or orthodontists/doctors/surgeons)
- creative tasks (e.g., useful in the planning and troubleshooting phases, can break blockages, good at facilitating teamwork)
- systems-based reasoning, meaning the ability to understand systems (e.g., useful in the planning and troubleshooting phases)
- helping people function together, as another form of systems thinking
- connecting people
- reframing familiar/existing events, and reassembling them
- creating plans and reviewing plans (e.g., seeing strong mental patterns)
- picking up information (e.g., seeing obscure details and how they fit together)
- sales jobs and customer service (e.g., engaging clients and creating a personal touch)
- prediction, simulating mental models and possible results (e.g., useful for forecasting, spotting trends and setting goals)
- balancing (e.g., seeing effective approaches to situations with competing demands)
- visits, inspections, negotiations
- storytelling and presentations
- using experience to build resilience, determination, motivation, and resourcefulness, ultimately producing a high capacity for hard work

It is imperative that everyone is allowed to reach their full potential, so we should embrace our differences wholeheartedly. For students, school is their main occupation and main area of competition; for adults, work is essentially the same in practice; and we need to learn to understand our role in life in a well-informed and healthy way (Eide and Eide, 2023). Dyslexic people need self-advocacy, self-belief, and to recognise their own strengths, as well as having others recognise and support them in achieving this.

## #creativethinking

The Confederation of British Industry’s ‘Education and Skills Survey’ in 2011 highlighted skills shortages, with companies struggling to find suitable employees. Despite an influx of applications from graduates with good degrees, these candidates often lacked the essential thinking skills that employers need. The Chartered Institute of Personal and Development (CIPD) identified the same issue. Both organisations emphasise the importance of creative skills. The CIPD survey underscored that these higher-level skills are crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the future (Greetham, 2016).

## The top ten skills

Various other studies have shown that creative thinkers have notable cognitive skills and capabilities (Greetham, 2016). They are:

- Communication skills (verbal and written) – the ability to express your ideas clearly and convincingly.
- Numerical reasoning – the ability to carry out simple arithmetical operations, and interpret and use data.
- Logical reasoning – the ability to reason consistently.
- Conceptual thinking – the ability to analyse concepts and arguments, to synthesise ideas into concepts and create new concepts.
- Teamwork – working effectively and confidently with others.
- Planning and organising – the ability to analyse the task, put together an effective plan and carry it out effectively.
- Creative thinking and problem-solving – analysing problems, gathering information and using it creatively.
- Leadership – the ability to form an effective team and motivate others.
- Flexibility – the ability to adapt your thinking or ways of working to changing circumstances, rather than remain rigid.
- Initiative, self-motivation, and self-awareness – the confidence to act on your own initiative, to motivate yourself to come up with new ideas and solutions, and to be self-reflective (able to identify your own weaknesses and areas for improvement).

## #cognitiveskills

Neurodivergent individuals, including those with dyslexia, often synthesise disparate ideas in new and original ways, allowing them to see problems from unique perspectives. For example, Zolfagharian, Tafti and Jarrahi (2024) highlighted how distinctive cognitive profiles can be advantageous in fields like astronomy, with the British Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) also recognising the value of dyslexia in top-secret activities.

Figure 2 Applicability in secretive fields

But how often is this ‘power’ disclosed in the workplace? Let’s consider the matter of disclosing a special learning difficulty (SpLD).

OpenLearn - Understanding dyslexia
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