Technical success while dyslexic

Growing up, I didn’t know I had dyslexia. I just knew I didn’t fit in with the other kids. I struggled with reading and math, but I didn’t think much of it until my mom told me I was going to change schools to get more help.

At the time, I was in kindergarten, confused as to why I had to leave my friends and go to a place called Julie Billiard School in Lyndhurst, Ohio.

At Julie Billiard, I began to realize that my brain simply processed things differently. I could read, but it took me longer than everyone around me. What took my classmates two weeks might take me six. I remember my heart rate increasing and my muscles tensing, frustration filling my entire body.

But over time, I noticed a pattern emerging; I was slow to start, but once I got a hold of something, I was flying past the others. I was also able to continue reading long after my peers had moved on, and my understanding of the subject was often much deeper. This realization changed the game.

Rather than viewing dyslexia as a limitation, I began to view it as an advantage. Dyslexia taught me patience and discipline. I learned not to compare myself to others because I realized that my learning curve is different.

This approach is very important in my work as founder and CEO of LANDE, a digital marketing agency. In the world of technology, where systems, coding, and problem solving are prerequisites, the ability to take things apart and understand process separates swimmers from sinks.

Coding, for example, requires giving the computer precise instructions — an “ingredient list,” if you will. You have to think about each step.

Take something simple, like making toast. Most people would say, “Grab the bread, put it in the toaster, and press the button.” But for me, my brain quickly goes into process mode. I think about opening the cupboard with my right hand, taking the bread, and if there is no bread, I will plan a trip to the store. And that includes holding my keys with my right hand, opening the door, going to the garage, walking to the car, and … you get the idea.

Dyslexia has also made me a better teacher. I have had to read everything so carefully that when I explain it to others, I can break it down into digestible chunks.

Whether it’s coding, paid advertising, or even accounting, I know how to guide someone through the process because I’ve had to manage each step myself. This skill has been essential in growing LANDE, where creating systems and standard operating procedures (SOPs) is critical to growth.

As dyslexics, we can solve problems better because we can see every step from beginning to end and from end to beginning. It helps me to be able to convey ideas and calculate different situations. The way my mind works. And if you have dyslexia or know someone who does, it’s an important aspect to understand. Because after all, many people with my condition are looked down upon.

But you should ignore the naysayers. I remember my guidance counselor in high school looking at my grades and suggesting I avoid a career in technology. If I had taken his advice, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

My advice to anyone with dyslexia is simple: Be patient. It may take a while to read, but when it clicks, it clicks. And once you understand something, your ability to build on that knowledge can surpass those around you.