We can't afford not to empower dyslexia in the workplace
4 min read
Dyslexic thinkers properly empowered at work could add almost £70bn to the economy. Nothing is stopping us from seizing this opportunity.
This week, some of Britain's most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders came together to pose The $Trillion Dollar Question.
The likes of Nick Jones, founder of Soho House, Mike Smith, Chief Executive of Randstad Enterprise, and Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, asked if we can afford not to empower Dyslexic Thinking in our workplaces.
Their timing couldn't be more critical. As the Chancellor prepares for next month's Budget against a backdrop of stubbornly low productivity, these successful figures have identified a solution hiding in plain sight.
Made By Dyslexia’s new research, published to coincide with Dyslexia Awareness Week, shows that if dyslexic thinkers were properly empowered at work, they could add almost £70bn to the UK economy.
That's not a nice-to-have. That's a game-changer the Treasury cannot afford to ignore.
As Founder of Made By Dyslexia, I've been campaigning to change attitudes about dyslexia for two decades.
We've come a long way since my difficult school days, but there's still a long way to go, especially in the workplace.
One in five people are dyslexic, yet only 30 per cent of dyslexic thinkers are empowered at work.
Our research, created in conjunction with Randstad Enterprise, shows that dyslexics currently contribute £29.5bn to the UK economy. If all dyslexic thinkers were fully empowered, that figure would more than triple to £98.2bn.
The question isn't whether we can afford to invest in dyslexic talent. It's whether we can afford not to.
Thankfully, a growing movement of businesses and experts gets it.
In 2022, Dyslexic Thinking was added as a skill on LinkedIn, not as a token gesture, but because organisations from Virgin to HSBC, Cisco to GCHQ are actively seeking these capabilities.
Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, the renowned space scientist, explained this week that the skills dyslexics possess are key to driving innovation: big-picture thinking, creativity, and curiosity.
These are the skills experts say are needed to collaborate with AI to drive innovation and give organisations the competitive advantage.
Leading companies aren’t asking if they should empower dyslexic talent, but how fast.
Laura Powell, Global Head of People at HSBC's International Wealth and Premier Banking division, puts it bluntly: "Organisations can no longer afford to overlook the valuable skills that dyslexics offer them – the skills that AI can complement but cannot replace. Resilience, empathy, creativity, communication, and, most importantly, innovation."
When organisations tap into Dyslexic Thinking skills, they see stronger innovation, growth and agility.
What can organisations do? There are four simple steps they can take.
Firstly, define dyslexia as a valuable skill. Shifting language from negative to positive, critical to supportive, is one of the quickest and most powerful ways to transform a workplace, and is easy for teams to adopt.
Secondly, put in place support that enables dyslexics to thrive. Every dyslexic person has their own pattern of strengths and challenges. Encouraging employees to explain these and what they need to lean into their Dyslexic Thinking allows them to do their best work. AI is a game-changer for support.
Thirdly, tailor recruitment processes for dyslexics. Acknowledge Dyslexic Thinking in recruitment materials to show you value it. Train HR and Talent teams on what Dyslexic Thinking is. Ensure role profiles and job adverts specify skills like creativity and problem-solving.
And fourthly, support and encourage Dyslexic Thinking communities. Affinity groups provide support and create a sense of empowerment.
This should be a no-brainer. Yet old-fashioned attitudes towards dyslexics remain stubbornly entrenched.
Alongside Randstad Enterprise, we are working with FTSE 100, S&P 500, and other leading organisations to show how empowerment levels can be raised using The Dyslexic Thinking Workplace Guide. This free interactive resource, launched in partnership between Randstad Enterprise and Made By Dyslexia, offers simple tools to help organisations hire, support and empower dyslexic talent.
When Business Secretary Peter Kyle recently spoke openly about being dyslexic, some questioned whether he was equipped to oversee a complicated brief.
The irony is painful. A Dyslexic Thinker is exactly the right person to head up these departments. Kyle possesses precisely the skills needed to help businesses thrive and drive growth.
The business case is clear. The skills gap is real. The economic opportunity is quantified. So, what's stopping us?
As posters and billboards appear across London this week posing The $Trillion Dollar Question, the answer from business leaders is unequivocal. We cannot afford not to empower Dyslexic Thinking.
Kate Griggs is the founder of Made By Dyslexia.
