The 810 million users of the business networking platform LinkedIn now have the option to add ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ to the skills list on their profile page, in a new move by LinkedIn to promote inclusivity and allow professionals to showcase their real talent sets and be more open about their neurodiversities. The phrase is also set to enter a wider vernacular too, with Dictionary.com committing that they’ll be adding ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ to their catalogue as an official term registered within their language landscape.

The addition of the ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ to the in-built skills list is the product of a collaboration between LinkedIn, the global dyslexia charity Made by Dyslexia, and the UK entrepreneur and Virgin media group founder Sir Richard Branson. Branson has been a vocal supporter of neurodiverse and dyslexic talent in business and commerce for well over a decade, and the move has been hailed by both individuals and organisations as a powerful push towards neurodiverse inclusivity in the business sector.

LinkedIn itself has added a number of new features to its profile options over the past twelve months, with the intention of allowing users to better customise their public profile in ways that reflect accurately their skill sets and more personal aspects of their lived experience. Users can now add their chosen pronouns to their profiles, as well as use a much greater range of choices when displaying career breaks and time outside of traditional working, with sabbatical, parenting and parental leave options.

Branson, 71, spoke to the Press Association News Agency regarding the new addition to the skills list, commenting that people with dyslexia tend to think “creatively and expansively”, and described the new initiative as a “breakthrough” in acknowledging the positive sides of dyslexia in a workplace setting.

Speaking about children and young people, Branson describes candidly his own school experience and how for many years, parents may have felt daunted when receiving a dyslexia diagnosis for their child. He goes on to impress that whilst children may struggle with what he describes as “conventional” teaching methods, they’ll also have many extra strengths.

"When they concentrate on the things they are good at they will be extraordinary and when they leave school they are most likely going to be even more extraordinary. And they should be proud of being able to say after their name, 'I am a dyslexic thinker - and I am proud of it’. I know that I would not have been able to achieve what I have achieved in my life if I hadn't been born dyslexic, so I am very grateful for it."

The global charity Made by Dyslexia is another of the driving forces behind the campaign and the addition of the ‘Dyslexic Thinking’ to the skills bar. Their founder, Kate Griggs, opened up about their monumental campaign with Virgin on LinkedIn yesterday:

“Dyslexic Thinking skills like creativity, problem-solving and leadership are vital to the 21st century workplace, when we reach a 50-50 work split between machines and humans, as predicted for 2025 – the skills humans will need are Dyslexic Thinking skills. The world’s largest professional careers platform, LinkedIn, has recognised this. Now is the time for dyslexics to stand out, rather than blend in – and share their sought-after skills with organisations who are actively recruiting for them. And now is the time for Dyslexic Thinking to be empowered in every workplace to harness the power of those who think differently.”

Both Griggs and Branson are encouraging LinkedIn users who have dyslexia to add the skill to their profile and to take part in what Griggs terms “a huge moment for dyslexics everywhere.’

You can find out more about what this move means for people who have dyslexia all over the world at Kate Griggs’ exclusive article on LinkedIn, as well as catch Sir Richard Branson talking about his dyslexia and changing the way we think about dyslexia in UK newspaper The Independent.