1. How to release talent from your ND workforce
Under Your Nose
How to release talent from your ND workforce
By Margaret Malpas

2. How common is ND within the workforce
31.5m people at work in 2015 (Nat Stats Office)
1:7 employees on average, plus those with autism, so that’s 4.88m ND individuals at work
Larger ratios in some employment eg blue light services, engineering, IT
Very low disclosure rates
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA

3. Potential Talents of ND Employees
Big picture thinking
Creative thought, ingenuity
Atypical problem solving
Pattern recognition
Empathy and customer care skills
Attention to detail
In my research 72% listed their strengths
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4. Talents need to be fostered
Talent is latent, skill needs to be developed
Supportive environment essential
Reasonable adjustments need to be provided and embedded
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5. The Research
68 dyslexic adults completed a free format questionnaire, and 15 in depth interviews
Questions asked about success factors and challenges
Answers were incredibly consistent
Only 9% said their education contributed, yet 72% listed the strengths arising from their dyslexia which led to success

6. Findings on Factors for Success
Factors for Success Total 0%
Determination %
Empathy %
Intelligence or particular ability 23%
Motivated by helping others %
Supportive family %
Hard work %
Effective education %
Wit %

8. The ten traits for success
Determination
Self Esteem
Passion
Niche
Atypical Problem Solving
Creativity
Empathy
Verbal Influencing
Coping Strategies
Support from others

9. The Pay Off
For investment of c£4k on reasonable adjustments, you save £20k and get:
Determined, skilled, grateful staff
Reduced turnover (each time recruitment costs = 6 months’ salary of the vacancy and loss of knowledge capital)
More tolerant and inclusive workforce
Better decision making

10. Evaluation Comments
Chris from Shell UK “I have worked here for 15 years, this is the first time my appraisal has been based on reality”. Productivity estimated to be up by 15%
Hampshire Police have supported 150 ND police officers over the last 5 years. Assuming 75% improved performance, then 72,900 victims received improved service delivery
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11. Creating Awareness Nationally with Government Led by BDA and DAN
Access to Work – impossible to provide holistic assessments over such a wide range of conditions
DAN working with AtW on free awareness training and Civil Service Learning so all civil servants can access awareness of ND
Themed E events with Disability Confident
Partnership working with ACAS to increase awareness

12. How You Can Help Change Things within Organisations
Make small changes to your practices, see
Create greater awareness of ND at work, implement mentor schemes, see
Do the Cappuccino Challenge with a colleague
Start a Dyslexia Network at work, see
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13. Books Self Fulfilment with Dyslexia: A Blueprint for Success, pub 2017
Dyslexia at Work, pub2018
Dyslexia At
Work By
Margaret Malpas
Dyslexia At
Work By
Margaret Malpas