Throughout Inclusion Week, (25th - 1st October) we are sharing stories and campaigns that demonstrate the importance of inclusion here at Pareto.
When Pareto was established in 2014, it was with the vision of creating one of the most diverse, original and inclusive businesses within the Workspace and Facilities Management (W&FM) sector.
Today we are sharing a blog written by Neil Hodgson Pareto Account Manager in the North. Neil was diagnosed with Dyslexia when he was at school and shares his story below.
"I was diagnosed with Dyslexia when I was still at school, it was my family who pushed the school to get me an assessment in Sheffield. To that point, the pain I went through has defined my life. I’m not talking about physical pain, I’m talking about mental pain. I used to think, ‘why can’t I read or understand other words like other children’. I would worry that people would ask me to read out loud or that they would ask me to spell words.
I spent years finding ways of hiding my Dyslexia from other people because I didn’t want them to judge me because of it. The fact I did this shows that I was not ready to come to terms with it and embrace the gift that has been given to me. It was only when I started to work in an organisation where you are encouraged to be yourself, that I felt comfortable enough to open up about who I really am.
Living with Dyslexia certainly has its challenges, but I like to think of it as having a secret superpower. That's right, Dyslexia has a silver lining! While some may see it as a hinderance, I have found that my Dyslexia has actually given me a unique perspective and set of skills that have helped me navigate the world in my own quirky and inventive way.
First and foremost, Dyslexia has forced me to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to everyday problems. Who needs traditional problem-solving methods when you can come up with your own, more interesting approach? While others may be stuck in the constraints of linear thinking, I am able to see connections and possibilities that others might overlook.
When it comes to problem-solving, I am the Dyslexic mastermind! My unique perspective and out-of-the-box thinking, has led me to develop some truly unconventional and, dare I say, genius problem-solving skills.
You see, while others may rely on linear thinking and traditional methods, my Dyslexia has gifted me with the ability to see connections and possibilities that others might overlook. I don't just think outside the box, I dismantle the box, turn it into a sculpture, and then use it to solve the problem at hand. Who needs a box when you can have a work of art?
My unconventional problem-solving skills have come in handy in countless situations. I always manage to find alternative routes when I'm hopelessly lost to coming up with innovative ways to organise my chaotic schedule. No matter the situation I am faced with, I always find a way to make it work. Who needs a GPS when you have Dyslexia?
Thinking creatively allows me to turn obstacles into opportunities, and that's a skill that no amount of traditional problem-solving can match. So, next time you find yourself facing a roadblock, take a page out of my dyslexic playbook and let your imagination run wild. Who knows what kind of brilliance you'll come up with? After all, the sky's the limit when you think outside the box!