The characteristics that lead to success as an entrepreneur are often more similar than not. To succeed in business, you need to be business savvy, possess financial awareness, have excellent communication skills and have a powerful drive.
Many self-made millionaires need to have another element in common – the ability to see the entire picture and find creative solutions to real-world problems.
Some of these successful entrepreneurs, such as Richard Branson and Charles Schwab, credit their success to dyslexia as one of the contributing factors that lead to the development of their innovative thinking and their remarkable success.
Dyslexia and Early Childhood Experiences: The Formation of the Entrepreneurial Mindset
Dyslexia is a learning disability and is characterized by problems with writing ,reading and spelling. Although dyslexia should theoretically act as an impediment to success in achieving millions in net worth, practical life shows that there is a strong correlation between dyslexia and success.
In 2003, found that person with dyslexia were far more likely to become successful entrepreneurs who could rake in millions. The study saw psychologists assessing and analyzing the thought patterns, mental drives, and influences that brought the world’s top entrepreneurs their success. Here, they discovered that out of the 300 business leaders selected in their study, 40% of them had dyslexia. This implies that dyslexia is four times more prevalent among successful entrepreneurs than the general population.
“It’s time we all understand dyslexia properly as a different thinking skill-set, not a disadvantage”
– Sir Richard Branson – Ambassadorial President Made By Dyslexia
And there are real reasons behind this. The researchers analyzed that the same issues that these successful entrepreneurs faced early in life because of dyslexia – such as struggling with grades in school or social isolation helped them to develop the skills they need to be successfully self-made millionaires. While these leaders may have failed to hone in on the details, they developed a coping mechanism against that by instead improving their ability to see the bigger picture and be innovative.
Another study commissioned by the BBC, this time BBC2 when they were working on ‘Mind of a Millionaire’, found that early social exclusion gave many successful entrepreneurs the time to develop innovative business ideas and skills that help them to execute their ideas, sometimes one after another. Adrian Atkinson, a business psychologist involved with the study, discovered that entrepreneurs think differently than the general population.
He found in them the willingness to pursue opportunities, even when financial resources were unavailable to them, the desire to make their opportunities for themselves, and a powerful ability to base their successes and failures on their own actions. This deterministic approach to entrepreneurship saw these individuals develop innovative ideas alongside a focused drive to succeed.
Dyslexia, Innovation, and Communication: The Link between Dyslexia and Entrepreneurial Success
Constant change and economic development are key factors that help businesses thrive and grow. And this is where business leaders who grew up with symptoms of dyslexia developed their distinct advantages against the general population. You don’t have to be dyslexic to be a successful entrepreneur, but the question ‘Can you be successful if you have dyslexia?’ should be answered with a resounding ‘yes’, especially in the world of business and entrepreneurship.
Julie Logan, Professor of Entrepreneurship at Cass Business School in London (Source: PDF) conducted a test to understand the link between dyslexia and entrepreneurship, in both the USA and the UK. She found that 35% of successful entrepreneurs in the USA had dyslexia, against 20% in the UK, and 15% among the general population.
The higher prevalence of dyslexia among entrepreneurs in the US, according to her study, can be attributed to the higher rate of detection and consequent support provided in the USA, two factors that contribute to a child’s overall success in life. She also found that entrepreneurs who had signs of dyslexia viewed themselves as better communicators than their non-dyslexic counterparts.
She discovered that entrepreneurs who had dyslexia were more likely to start more than one business venture, grow these ventures at a faster rate but for a shorter time, and that they were more likely to head into the world of business right after high school.
The same study also discovered that entrepreneurs with dyslexia were more likely to be influenced and find help from mentors, versus entrepreneurs without dyslexia, who relied more on their educational experiences.
While these studies reveal a real link between dyslexia and entrepreneurship, how many successful entrepreneurs are actually dyslexic?
Ten Entrepreneurs who Overcame Dyslexia to Succeed in the World of Business
Succeeding as an entrepreneur takes a lot more than luck and perseverance. It takes intelligence, ambition and a fierce belief in your ability to succeed. Here are the top ten entrepreneurs who used the abilities they developed from having dyslexia to succeed in the world of business:
- Walt Disney:
With a net worth of $1,100,000,000, the founder of The Walt Disney Company, and the mind behind one of the largest and longest-running entertainment empires, was no stranger to the struggles of dyslexia. - Richard Branson:
Founder of Virgin and many other successful business ventures, he made his first million by the time he was 21. His net worth is $5,000,000,000. - Jamie Oliver:
Top chef and a household name was known both for his TV shows and restaurants, Jamie Oliver’s net worth stands at $30,000,000. - Steven Spielberg:
One of the most renowned directors across the world, and the founder of Dream Works, Spielberg now has a net worth of $3,100,000,000. - Charles Schwab:
An investment banker who struggled in college but is one of the greatest successes in the world of economics and investment, his net worth is $6,200,000,000. - Ted Turner:
Founder of Turner Broadcasting Systems and the man who founded the first 24 hour news channel, his net worth now is $2,300,000,000. - William Hewlett:
Together with David Packard, he founded the Hewlett-Packard Company, and has a net worth of $4,100,000,000. - Henry Ford:
Founder of Ford Motor Company and the man who developed the assembly line of production, his net worth is $188,000,000,000. - Steve Jobs:
Founder of Apple and the man who revolutionized smartphone technology, his net worth stands at $3,400,000,000. - Tommy Hilfiger:
Known for his iconic and cool approach to clothing, this fashion designer has a net worth of $1,600,000,000.
Across industries, these entrepreneurs have found success, despite having the apparent disadvantage of growing up with dyslexia. Dyslexia and entrepreneurship have a strong relationship and this link played a very important role in the success of some of the biggest names in the business world.