When we think of dyslexia, it's easy to focus on the challenges – many of us will be incredibly familiar with the reading difficulties, spelling struggles and frustration that can come with traditional learning methods.
But that vision is shifting. These days, especially in the world of social media, there's a growing recognition that dyslexia isn't just about what individuals find difficult; it's also about the unique strengths they bring to the table too. Whether they believe it’s as a byproduct of having to adapt to situations they’ve found themselves in or something inherent to do with how dyslexic brains work and what makes them tick, many people are pivoting to talk about the strengths and skills that seem to be a part of having dyslexia – just check out the idea of Dyslexic Thinking on LinkedIn to get started.
And whilst not every dyslexic person will exhibit or subscribe to these traits, it’s still important to recognise that millions of dyslexic people every day demonstrate remarkable abilities that challenge conventional perceptions. So let's explore seven of the best with a couple of real-world examples that might just make you rethink what it means to be dyslexic, your skills, and what you want to do with them.
Let’s go!
Some folks believe that dyslexic individuals excel at something called ‘big-picture thinking’. They suggest that many dyslexic people tend to focus on overarching concepts rather than getting bogged down by details, allowing them to see patterns and connections that others might overlook. There’s no solid scientific research basis for it (yet), but proponents are swift to point to examples from the world of business.
It's an ability that’s particularly valuable in strategic planning and leadership roles, as well as interpretation and data ones. For instance, Jo Cavan, director of strategy at GCHQ, notes that dyslexic staff are often adept at drawing connections from diverse sources, making them invaluable in complex problem-solving scenarios.
Many people consider dyslexic individuals to be creative powerhouses. And in the past, studies have shown that dyslexic people can often outperform their peers in creative tasks, such as art and design.
This creativity isn't limited to the arts either; it extends to innovative design work in various fields. For example, designer Jim Rokos highlights how dyslexic designers bring unique perspectives to their work, challenging traditional design norms.
While some may associate dyslexia with difficulty working to time constraints and needing time to organise their thoughts, others have observed that they tend to shine the brightest when quick thinking and fresh ideas are needed. Whether it’s cutting through the red tape for a project deadline, thinking on their feet for fast customer solutions in a supply job or troubleshooting a tech issue in real-time, some people with dyslexia report that they thrive when the pressure is on.
Made by Dyslexia’s The Value of Dyslexia Report calls this ability cognitive flexibility – the skill to switch perspectives and approach a problem from multiple angles when time is short. Some employers are even beginning to recognise this trait as a valuable asset, especially in sectors like media, emergency services, and tech innovation, where improvisation and novel thinking are key to keeping pace with an ever-changing landscape.
…But this isn’t to say everyone with dyslexia finds pressure motivating. Many dyslexic minds despise having to ‘think fast’ and come up with ideas on the hop. But everyone’s different, and for some, it seems that the urgency can help bypass overthinking and lead to fast, innovative problem-solving… that can surprise even themselves, sometimes.
Some researchers and educators have observed a strong link between dyslexic strengths and innovative business thinking. A 2009 study by Dr Julie Logan at Cass Business School found that as many as 35% of US entrepreneurs surveyed identified as dyslexic. And whilst correlation doesn’t always mean causation, and factors like class and wealth play a part, some experts believe that the cultivated ability to delegate, think strategically, and approach problems laterally may give some dyslexic folks a real edge in the business world.
Many successful entrepreneurs – such as Sir Richard Branson, Theo Paphitis, and Jo Malone – have spoken candidly about how their experiences with dyslexia have helped shape their approaches to leadership and creativity. These individuals often credit their alternative thinking styles for helping them challenge industry norms and take risks others might avoid.
Others point to the way dyslexic individuals often develop strong interpersonal and communication skills as a workaround for literacy-based challenges. In a business setting, these attributes can be invaluable, particularly in management, networking, and negotiation.
So although not everyone with dyslexia will find themselves suited to entrepreneurship, some advocates suggest that the overlap between dyslexic strengths and entrepreneurial success stories is worth exploring further.
The journey of overcoming reading difficulties can prompt the development of resilience and adaptability in some dyslexic individuals, and they’re both great skills to have, especially in the working world. Many people report that the experience of developing coping strategies for reading and communicating enhances their ability to navigate challenges, for instance, finding unique methods to manage learning new skills and adapting to new ways of working.
Many dyslexic individuals report being visual thinkers, and excelling in tasks that require a large degree of visual-spatial reasoning. This strength is beneficial in fields like architecture, engineering, and art, where the ability to visualise complex structures is crucial. The capacity to think more in terms of images allows some people to approach problems from unique angles and focus on the aesthetic as well as the functional.
How do these arty dyslexic brains work? Again, we’re not sure yet, and a lot of current research findings are conflicting, but some dyslexic individuals have been found to show strengths in mental rotation and three-dimensional thinking far more than their neurotypical peers, which likely unlocks visual working skills that are useful in everything from art and architecture to video game design and city planning.
Dyslexic individuals often report they find they develop strong empathy and emotional intelligence due to their experiences with learning challenges. This heightened sensitivity may enable them to connect with others on a deeper level, making them effective leaders and collaborators. And that can represent the start of a shift: their ability to understand and share the feelings of others often fosters supportive relationships and inclusive work environments, too.
Why does it happen? Some educational psychologists suggest that because dyslexic individuals have often had to navigate misunderstanding and frustration from a young age, they may be more attuned to how others feel and what they need to feel supported. In leadership and team settings, this can be an incredibly valuable trait.
Whilst it’s important to celebrate dyslexic strengths and draw attention to the wins, it's important to acknowledge that not every dyslexic individual feels like they have these strengths. And that’s okay!
Indeed, some experts argue that emphasising these strengths can be outdated and potentially harmful, as it may lead individuals who don't identify with them to feel inadequate or as if they're "doing dyslexia wrong." It’s also worth noting that some neurodiversity advocates have pushed back against the narrative of “superpowers” like these. as it can overshadow the real challenges that come with dyslexia – so there’s a lot to think about, even if it does feel good for a moment to focus the strengths of the day rather than the things that we find tricky or exhausting.
It's also important to note that there are many dyslexic people out there who are strong readers and accurate spellers, and have great exam-taking skills, so even when it comes to adopting a strengths-based approach, it’s truly impossible to generalise. Everybody does dyslexia differently, and experiences a unique blend of strengths and challenges based on how their brain processes things, their past experiences, their level of support, and a host of other things too.
Everyone’s experience is valid. So whether you relate to all, some, or literally none of the strengths listed above, remember that your journey is your own, and it’s just as valuable as anyone else’s.
Although it’s not for everyone, this kind of strengths-based approach to thinking about dyslexic skills does offer a welcome paradigm shift from a dyslexic person as ‘somebody who struggles at work and in school’ to a more accurate ‘somebody with unique skills that don’t always align with mainstream school and work requirements’.
And by embracing these unique abilities alongside support for those challenges, we can foster a more inclusive society that values diverse ways of thinking and problem-solving. It’s about shifting the narrative: moving away from a deficit-based view of dyslexia and toward a more balanced, empowering understanding that acknowledges both sides of the coin.
As we move forward a more inclusive future together, it’s imperative we keep creating space for those conversations. Let’s keep amplifying these unique, dyslexic-led perspectives! And let’s continue to support each and every person with dyslexia – those who shine in these areas, those who shine in ones we wouldn’t traditionally expect them to, and those who are still discovering what they’re good at – because everyone deserves the chance to succeed in their own way, and to show the world what they can do!