Two years ago, two of my three children were diagnosed with dyslexia. It came as a surprise and brought a wave of concern. What does this actually mean? Would this limit their ability to thrive at school and later in the “real world”? Would it impact their happiness? My wife Tina dove into the topic of dyslexia, spearheading our efforts to learn as much as we could and determine how to best support our kids. It was a roller coaster of emotions, but, contrary to the stereotype many of us grew up with, we are now truly able to view it as a gift.
There are many amazing resources for those with dyslexia. Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group, and one of the many famous and successful dyslexics, recently launched a global ‘University of Dyslexic Thinking’ – DyslexicU. I’ve only scratched the surface of DyslexiaU, but it is empowering, with tons of training, content, and helpful tools for those with dyslexia. John Chambers, longtime CEO of Cisco (1995 – 2005), was outspoken about his challenges with dyslexia and how he felt it gave him a significant advantage in business. John has shared his experiences in many articles and goes into more detail in his book “Connecting the Dots: Lessons for Leadership in a Startup World.”
As we learned more and more, it became clear that while the literacy obstacles dyslexics experience are a huge challenge, there are also many unique strengths that can become a superpower in life and business. It also started to become clear, as Tina would often dog-ear passages for me to “checkout,” that I exhibit many of these good and challenging traits. While I have never been officially diagnosed with dyslexia, I recall frustrations with reading, writing, and spelling in school. Dyslexia is not just swapping b’s and d’s or reading backwards, and it can be hard to detect without a professional. Dyslexics are often very smart and figure out ways to cope and mask their challenges. I’ve made a successful career in technology, leaning on my ability to solve problems and innovate, while heavily leveraging strong verbal communication. I believe these are dyslexic superpowers, and I would have never made it in business without spelling and grammar technology assistance!
Dyslexia should not be thought of as a disadvantage, but rather as an indicator that someone likely thinks and sees the world differently. We are all unique, and dyslexia is just one way that people can experience and interpret the world. Not all dyslexics are the same (just as neurotypicals are not the same), but many successful entrepreneurs, engineers, and inventors credit their dyslexia with their success, specifically noting that it helped them see opportunities and solutions that others missed. The ability to approach problems from unconventional angles and find unique solutions is a key ingredient to innovation and success, and dyslexia can foster the creative thinking that leads to new ideas that change the world.
We are fortunate to live in Atlanta, GA, where there are many top-notch local resources for dyslexia. The Schenck School has been incredibly helpful for one of my children. On October 19, The International Dyslexic Association of Georgia (IDA-GA) will be hosting the 2024 Dyslexia Dash 5k and kids fun run at Atlanta’s Perimeter Mall, where more than 2,000 participants are expected. My company, Query, is sponsoring a team alongside The Schenck School and others, and I would like to personally invite you to join us. Not only will you be supporting an incredible cause, but the swag is also pretty awesome! And hey, competition for innovative thinkers and developers is fierce, so start recruiting them early! My family and I will be running the dash together. We would love to see you there!
Happy Dyslexia Awareness Month!
