One day in preschool, a friend of mine needed green paint to complete her finger-painting masterpiece. The problem was, we only had yellow and black paint. Thinking of a way to help my friend, I took up my paintbrush with my tiny hands and swirled the colors together. Before my eyes, the yellow and black paint transformed into a color that resembled an olive. Problem solved!

This is my first memory of being dyslexic.*

wired.com

While people with dyslexia have many learning difficulties, they also have unique strengths and one of mine is problem-solving. The issue with dyslexia awareness in the world is that the understanding stops at a learning disability. Have you have you ever heard someone mix up words or numbers? Or spell something incorrectly? Afterwards, have you heard the comment, “I’m a little dyslexic” or “I just had a dyslexic moment.” These instances demonstrate a surface level of understanding as they only highlight the negative aspects of being dyslexic instead of the positives. Have you ever heard someone SOLVE a problem and say; “Yep, I just had a dyslexic moment”? Probably not.

Growing up, I had a very mild case of dyslexia and though my coping strategies were strong enough to compensate for some of my shortcomings, this meant that I did not receive any assistance for my disability from the school system. I viewed my case of dyslexia as a major weakness because I was a slow reader and my spelling was horrific. In school, I often felt stupid because I was unable to think and perform like my peers so throughout the rest of my education, I concealed the truth about my dyslexia. I thought, “How could something that makes me feel stupid ever be a strength?”

(C) Gavin Aung Than 2012

Then, in a graduate course that I took recently, one of my professors brought up dyslexia. I thought, “Here we go, another person going on about the hardships of my learning disability.” But to my surprise, she referred to having a dyslexic brain as having an “extraordinary gift.” She went on to explain that because people with dyslexia think in a different way, they can make connections and see patterns that other people cannot. For the first time in my life, I considered what I thought to be my greatest weakness as a strength. This shift in my perception empowered me to recognize my seemingly ordinary skills as rare talents. It only took 24 years!

Having this realization, I took a ‘trip to the balcony’ to consider how leaders sometimes struggle with accepting their own weaknesses or viewing them positively. What if we, as leaders, took the time to shift our understanding of weakness, and considered it as a gift? This question can be difficult to consider, but I’ve provided three tips below that can help us think outside the box, explore different ways of doing things, and to practice seeing the bigger picture.

1. Explore Strengths Based Leadership: We all love reading about who we are and discovering our unique strengths. This book and assessment have been used widely over the past 15 years and they discuss how we should switch our focus from our weaknesses and instead use our energy to utilize and develop our strengths!
2. Enhance your Creativity…Take a Walk! Check out this study from Stanford University that gives us some tips and information on being able to increase our creative capacity and problem solving.
3. And finally, get to know yourself! Gaining self-awareness is helpful to discover what may be holding us back.

Considering a personal weakness as a strength can be a lifelong journey that involves a shift of perspective. I never thought that my learning disability could be a strength, but I have come to realize that though it is one of my most tremendous challenges it is also one of my greatest gifts. If we all could change the way we view weakness, it could be the difference from seeing “black and yellow” or the opportunity of “olive green.”

*Dyslexia is a neurobiological disorder that causes difficulties with reading. People with dyslexia often have trouble spelling, recalling words, and distinguishing left and right. Despite these obstacles, people with dyslexia have many strengths and develop coping strategies to service their struggles. They are highly creative, observant, and are able to see the “big picture.” They can also excel in reading people, communicating ideas, and problem-solving.

*Meet the Author*

Meghan Harney
With Leadership Inspirations since 2015
B.A. in Integrated Educational Studies from Chapman University
Completing M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Regis University

My Favorite Quote:
“Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” –Oscar Wild

Quick Facts About Me: 1) My dream job would be an SNL cast member, 2) I love to plan parties and 3) I sing in my car like I’m performing a sold out show.