How dyslexia is a creative superpower

Q: What do Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein and Winston Churchill have in common?

A: They’re all smart people with dyslexia.

They’ve used their dyslexia as a strength to think differently and achieve what others thought of as impossible.

Rather than a learning disorder, which it is commonly thought of, dyslexia is a genetic difference in someone’s ability to process information. This means a person with dyslexia can think and learn differently than a neurotypical person.

One in five people globally have dyslexia and most hide it from their employers out of fear of prejudice.

People with dyslexia are big thinkers. Their brains excel at "big picture processing" but often struggle with "fine-detail processing."

This unique way of thinking enables people with dyslexia to identify patterns, generate innovative solutions, and approach problems from fresh perspectives—skills that are highly valuable within any organisation.

Dyslexic thinkers are brilliant at:

Imagining: Dyslexic thinkers bring unique superpowers to the table. They’re natural creators—able to take ideas, problems, or even outdated solutions and reimagine them into something fresh and impactful. Their strong visual thinking gives them the edge in seeing what’s possible before it even exists, whether it’s designing 3D models, revamping software, or crafting presentations that stick.

Connecting: They’re also masters of connecting the dots. While most people get stuck in silos, dyslexic thinkers use “big picture processing” to see how seemingly unrelated ideas, data, or issues link together. This ability to spot opportunities others miss makes them natural innovators and problem solvers.

Collaborating: And when it comes to people, they shine. Empathy, negotiation, self-awareness, and the gift of clear oral expression make dyslexic thinkers exceptional leaders. They don’t just manage teams—they inspire them, building environments where creativity and collaboration thrive. Their skills aren’t just valuable, they can be transformative.

If you're working on solving a challenging problem and need some big picture thinking to make a breakthrough, ask around for someone with dyslexia and let them use their superpowers to help.