As Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2024 challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities, Bianca Angelico, On Verve director of guest services, explains why her 'superpower' is her biggest asset.
At work, I find that dyslexia is my superpower.
I truly think that without it, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
It makes me a creative problem solver who doesn’t see things from a traditionally “logical” neurotypical perspective.
At work leadership meetings, my different way of thinking means I can bring a totally different perspective.
For many neurodivergent people, we thrive in chaos – so the need to react to issues for a range of people means that we can creatively problem solve and bring our unique perspectives to the workplace every day.
Being direct and giving guidance is part of my leadership approach for neurodiverse colleagues.
I know what it’s like to get lost in additional details that can leave you contemplating the unimportant elements of a task.
Misconceptions surrounding dyslexia can make you underestimate your abilities at work.
If you are neurodiverse and your workplace doesn’t know, speak out. If you choose to tell your employer about your disability, they should be kind, empathetic and understanding.
That led me to mask mine for many years – people didn’t see my spelling mistakes, for example, because I had a support system at home that could help me.
I stopped masking seven years ago and now can thrive because I’m open about my dyslexia.
If you choose to tell your employer about your disability, they should be kind, empathetic and understanding.
If they’re anything but that, you need to question if that is the workplace for you.
Embrace who you are and recognise that there’s nothing wrong with you.
You bring a different perspective and set of abilities into the workplace, and you deserve to receive support and recognition for the valuable work you do.
I will always discuss my own dyslexia because if I wasn’t so vocal about it, I don’t think my co-workers would feel as comfortable coming forward to talk about their conditions.
