Unlock the potential of Dyslexic Thinking

Workplace inclusion is essential not only for an equitable employee experience, but also for maximizing the value that comes from having different perspectives on your team. Neurodivergent professionals, including dyslexics, have different ways of problem solving—such as Dyslexic Thinking—that can help broaden our understanding of success. In collaboration with Made By Dyslexia, LinkedIn recently hosted a significant discussion exploring dyslexia in the workplace. The discussion highlighted the importance of defining Dyslexic Thinking as a valuable workplace skill and demonstrating ways to empower it in the workplace. 

 Find out more in today’s newsletter, which includes:

• Research on dyslexia in the workplace

• An interview with entrepreneur and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, who considers dyslexia his superpower

• A brand new free LinkedIn Learning course on “Empowering Dyslexic Thinking in the Workplace”

• Tips for using Microsoft Immersive Reader on LinkedIn

• A live conversation with Kate Griggs, founder and CEO of Made By Dyslexia

The value of Dyslexic Thinking

Future workplaces will depend on Dyslexic Thinking skills but research shows that most dyslexics feel their Dyslexic Thinking skills are not understood at work. Just 1 in 5 UK dyslexics and 38% of dyslexics in the US believe their company understands the advantages of Dyslexic Thinking. Dyslexic Thinking skills include pattern recognition, spatial reasoning, lateral thinking, and interpersonal communication—abilities that directly translate into some of employers’ most in-demand skills.

Even as AI continues to evolve necessary skills for today’s jobs, it cannot replicate the vital soft skills that Dyslexic Thinkers excel at. In LinkedIn’s recent Future of Work Report, 92% of executives agreed that people skills are still more important than ever.

To bring visibility to these hidden talents, LinkedIn members can add Dyslexic Thinking as a skill to their profile, joining nearly 23,000 people who have already done so!

Read what leaders are saying:

• “Almost half of professionals simply don’t define dyslexia as a valuable thinking skill–yet. This is a mistake.” —Kate Griggs, founder and CEO of Made By Dyslexia

• “We have a huge opportunity to help professionals and businesses understand how to celebrate and support Dyslexic Thinking.” —Nicole Leverich, Vice President Communications at LinkedIn

• “...my son is dyslexic. I see on a daily basis the unique way he navigates the world and it’s something I’ve come to admire and cherish.” —Ngaire Moyes, UK Country Manager and Vice President, Communications, International at LinkedIn

Richard Branson on why embracing Dyslexic Thinking is critical for business success

LinkedIn’s Editor-in-Chief, Dan Roth, sat down with Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group, to discuss how one of the world’s best-known and successful entrepreneurs sees his dyslexia as a superpower.

Empower Dyslexic Thinking with LinkedIn Learning

Learn more with the new LinkedIn Learning Course “Empowering Dyslexic Thinking at Work.” This course will help you empower Dyslexic Thinking in the workplace and in your recruitment process through actions like:

• Encouraging employees to take Made by Dyslexia’s test on their website

• Embracing assistive technology and new advancements to support Dyslexic Thinking

• Fostering a culture of openness and disclosure

All members can now access the course for free (available in 25 languages, including English with subtitles).

Microsoft Immersive Reader helps all members access content more easily 

As part of our efforts to advance our vision to equalize access to content we’re giving professionals a new tool for digesting content in a way that works for them with the integration of Microsoft’s Immersive Reader. 

This improves the experience of consuming long-form articles, especially for those with dyslexia or accessibility needs. Immersive Reader offers customizable features to isolate content, listen to text aloud, translate articles into another language, or adjust how text appears by modifying spacing, color, and more.

To access this tool, simply look for the Immersive Reader icon on first-party articles published on LinkedIn, typically located at the top of the article page (only available on Desktop). Click on the icon to activate the suite of accessibility options, and choose which to enable based on your needs. To also learn more about the benefits that Immersive Reader unlocks, read or listen to this article from LinkedIn’s VP of engineering, Erran Berger. 

Live on LinkedIn:

Yessi Bello Perez, LinkedIn UK’s Community Segments Lead, further explored why global organizations are recognizing dyslexia as a talent during a live conversation with Made By Dyslexia’s Kate Griggs, Jo Cavan, Director for Strategy Policy and Engagement, GCHQ (the UK’s intelligence, security, and cyber agency), and Michael Smith, Chief Executive, Randstad Enterprise. 

Watch back the recorded event here. 

🗣️ Join the conversation on LinkedIn and help highlight the power of #DyslexicThinking