The Power of Dyslexic Thinking

How It Shaped My Career

Dyslexia isn’t just about struggling with reading and writing—it’s a fundamentally different way of thinking.

And that difference? It can give you a real advantage.

Earlier this year, I was invited to give a talk about my experience of Dyslexia, and this article is a summary of that talk.  You can watch and listen to the presentation here, and I have put a transcript here.

One in Ten:  You Know More Dyslexics Than You Think 

Dyslexia affects around 10% of the population, yet many people don’t realise they know someone who has it. Why? Because we look just like everyone else. But our brains work differently, and that difference comes with both challenges and advantages.

I’m a dyslexic thinker, and I want to share how this has impacted my life, my career, and my clients. I’m also going to share some simple things that you can do to make the world easier for the dyslexics around you, whether they’ve told you about their diagnosis or not.If you read the full transcript, you will find more stories that illustrate the points I make in this summary.  You can find the full transcript here.

The School Struggles And The Lessons They Taught Me

School was rough. Imagine being nine years old and being told you’re a failure. To be fair, you knew you were failing long before that, with everything suggesting you were not as good as your classmates. Either way, it is something that stays with you.  Teachers meant well, but the education system just wasn’t built for how my brain processes information. Reading out loud? Nightmare. Spelling? A creative exercise in frustration. Tests and Exams? Designed to highlight my weaknesses rather than my strengths.

It wasn’t all bad, though. I learned early on that success is different for everyone.  It comes from finding your own way to thrive.  I learned to find my own way of doing things, I learned resilience, and I learned how to try different approaches until something worked.  I have probably used these lessons way more than what I learned about the kings and queens of England.

What Can You Do?

Whether you’re a manager, a colleague or a friend, you can help dyslexics thrive by:

• Focusing on strengths, not deficits – Instead of forcing someone into a system that wasn’t designed for them, figure out how they work best.
• Embracing different ways of thinking – If someone struggles with reading, it doesn’t mean they don’t understand. Look for alternative ways to assess skills.
• Providing the right tools – Tech like Grammarly and mind-mapping software can be game-changers.  
• Document Presentation - Consider how you present documents and emails.  Bullet points and white space really help, as does colour coding and using simple sans-serif fonts (ones without fancy swirls!).  Try and avoid writing in al capitals too, the overall shape of a word can be a big part of how we read and that shape disappears when words are written in all capital letters.
• Ask - be comfortable asking people what would help them. Not all dyslexias are the same and the person is best placed to tell you what works for them

My Takeaway? Dyslexic Thinking is a strength

It took me years to own my dyslexia. For decades, I didn’t tell anyone. Now, I proudly share my story because I know that the way I think brings value to the world.

Dyslexia isn’t a disadvantage—it’s a different way of processing information that can lead to breakthroughs, innovations, and unexpected success.

So, the next time you meet someone who thinks differently, don’t try to fit them into the mould. Instead, ask: What if their way is better?

Some Useful Resources

Succeed with Dyslexia - Home of the Go Red for Dyslexia Campaign and again a great place for resources.

Quoted References:

Covey, Stephen.  The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

Deloitte. Stakeholder Capitalism Study. Deloitte Insights.

McKinsey & Company. CEO Excellence Research. McKinsey Global Institute.