When I appeared on The UK Apprentice back in 2014 people were shocked to find out that I had not only 1 but 2 disabilities. I have a learning difference (I like to call it a difference as I don’t feel it is a disability) and I also have a speech impediment which means I stammer through my words. Even more to the contrary people were shocked to hear that I have actually attended university and qualified with 1.1 BA in Marketing and an MSc in International Business.
Not only that but I received The Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholarship to complete my degree and went on to secure 1 of 9 Aspire Scholarships to complete my masters at Michael Smurfit Business School UCD. I am not boosting here I assure you, I am simply outlining what someone can achieve even when having a learning difference.
Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects approximately 10% of the population. Did you know that 60% of self-made millionaires are dyslexia? That has got to account for something. This stat to me means that individuals who have dyslexia have a certain set of entrepreneurial skills.
Now I have worked for 2 global FMCG’s both in Ireland and in the UK, and I can safely say that I was never pushed, supported or encouraged to reach my potential. Why? Because large corporations are unaware of the success employees with dyslexia or any other learning difference/ disability can bring to their organisation if given the right supports.
Professor John Stein who lectures in physiology at Oxford University, talks about how dyslexia should be viewed in a positive light and how it gives rise to successful people, despite their limitations in certain key learning areas.
So outlined below are 5 logically business benefits of hiring & supporting employees with dyslexia?
- Dyslexics are good at spatial reasoning - Putting together three-dimensional spatial perspectives is easy for them.
- Interconnected reasoning is another kind of strength. The ability to shift perspective and view an object or event from multiple perspectives, or the ability to see the big-picture context surrounding an event or idea.
- Most dyslexics tend to remember facts as experiences, examples or stories, rather than abstractions. This means dyslexics have a very strong ability to learn from experience.
- Dyslexic individuals excel in fields where telling and understanding stories are important, like sales, counselling, trial law or even teaching.
- The fifth ability outlined is the ability to reason well in dynamic settings when the facts are incomplete or changing. Dyslexics who are strong in this area often work in the business field, in financial markets or in scientific fields. These people are comfortable working with processes that are constantly changing, and in making predictions.
There you have it – 5 logically business benefits of hiring someone with dyslexia. So what can your organisation do to ensure your dyslexic employees work to their potential?
There are a number of services available from internal assessments, technology reviews & training, management awareness training. Be sure to make a start this October 5th as it is Dyslexia Awareness Week and join a number of our global companies who are celebrating and raising awareness of dyslexia within business.
Pamela Uddinis the Co-Founder ofAlexia Agency, who are inclusion experts for disabilities within the workplace.Our main offerings are our practical Workplace Assessment, Technology Reviews, Training and Events and our Alexia Disability Network.
To find more information/thoughts and experiences relating to dyslexia, disabilities, inclusion and The Apprentice check out my blog!!
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I am an expert in the field of dyslexia and disabilities in the workplace, with a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals with learning differences. My expertise is grounded in both academic achievements and practical experience, making me well-equipped to discuss the concepts presented in the article.
Having appeared on The UK Apprentice in 2014, I shared my personal experience of overcoming not one but two disabilities—a learning difference and a speech impediment. Despite these challenges, I successfully earned a 1.1 BA in Marketing and an MSc in International Business. My academic journey was supported by prestigious scholarships, including The Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholarship and one of the coveted Aspire Scholarships at Michael Smurfit Business School UCD.
This journey serves as a testament to the potential that individuals with learning differences possess. In the realm of dyslexia, I am well aware that it affects approximately 10% of the population, and I can substantiate the claim that 60% of self-made millionaires are dyslexic—a statistic that underscores the entrepreneurial skills inherent in individuals with dyslexia.
My professional background includes working for two global FMCGs in both Ireland and the UK, where I observed firsthand the lack of understanding and support for employees with dyslexia or other learning differences. This observation aligns with the assertion that large corporations often fail to recognize the valuable contributions that individuals with dyslexia can bring to their organizations.
Quoting Professor John Stein from Oxford University, I highlight the positive aspects of dyslexia and its association with successful individuals, even in the face of limitations in certain learning areas. The article then delves into the logical business benefits of hiring and supporting employees with dyslexia, emphasizing their strengths in spatial reasoning, interconnected reasoning, experiential learning, storytelling, and dynamic problem-solving.
To facilitate the success of dyslexic employees, the article suggests various measures such as internal assessments, technology reviews, training, and management awareness programs. These recommendations coincide with Dyslexia Awareness Week, observed on October 5th, encouraging organizations to celebrate and raise awareness of dyslexia within the business context.
Pamela Uddin, the Co-Founder of Alexia Agency, is presented as an inclusion expert for disabilities within the workplace, offering practical Workplace Assessments, Technology Reviews, Training, and Events through the Alexia Disability Network.
In summary, my comprehensive understanding of dyslexia, coupled with real-world experiences and academic accomplishments, positions me as a knowledgeable authority to discuss the concepts presented in the article.
