How Richard Branson is disrupting dyselxia.

ccording to Richard Branson, dyslexia isn’t a disadvantage – it’s a superpower.

Yet, education systems around the world are failing dyslexic thinkers. Too often, learners with dyslexia are not taken seriously; we assume they have learning difficulties and label dyslexia as a disorder that needs "fixing," or worse, we don’t acknowledge it at all.

We don’t do enough to help these individuals identify their superpower – the unique strengths that set them apart.

Richard Branson does not think like that. Here is what he thinks: The world needs to realise that skills inherent to dyslexic people (such as problem solving, creativity, adaptability, and communication) are the most sought-after in every job sector across the globe.

And nurturing these skills starts with education. Teachers need the tools to spot, nurture and empower dyslexic thinkers. It’s time for this to change.  

Dyslexic Thinking: A Personal PerspectiveAs someone who is dyslexic, Richard Branson has experienced firsthand how Dyslexic Thinking has propelled him forward in life.

I was also very lucky to have a mum who told me to reach for the stars. My teachers called me stupid and lazy, but my mum only ever surrounded us with love and encouragement. An entrepreneur herself, she empowered me to pursue my curiosity and follow my dreams – even when that meant leaving school at sixteen to start my first business.

He’s always found it easy to see the big picture, which has helped him take bold risks without getting bogged down in the details.

He also naturally finds creative solutions to problems that don’t have straightforward answers. For Branson, this is just part of how his brain works – it’s his Dyslexic Thinking in action.  

Given the challenges of the educations system for young dyslexics, it’s so important for them to have a champion (like my mum, Eve, or Omari’s mum Leah) that doesn’t dull their vision but helps them see their unique strengths for what they are.

A fun example of this is how Virgin Atlantic came to be. With very little funding and no experience in aviation, Branson decided the fastest way to launch an airline would be to lease a single aircraft and take it from there. The team faced rejection after rejection, and many thought he was crazy to even suggest it.

But eventually, he convinced Boeing to lease them a Boeing 747. To Branson, it didn’t seem like such a wild idea – no one had thought to do it before.

Crucially, he also protected the downside: if people didn’t love the airline, he negotiated the right to hand the plane back after 12 months. Fortunately, the airline was a hit, and forty years later, Virgin Atlantic is still soaring.

My biggest most important message to all kids is that being different will be your biggest asset. Embrace your uniqueness, and it will help you fly.

Branson credits moments like this to his dyslexia – and he knows he’s not alone.  

Dyslexic Thinking fuels innovation, solves complex challenges, and gives rise to visionary ideas. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs, artists, and pioneers – from Albert Einstein to Steve Jobs to Pablo Picasso – were dyslexic. Imagine if they hadn’t realized their potential?  

The Initiative: Partnering with Made By Dyslexia and Unite BVIFor many years, Richard Branson has been working with Made By Dyslexia to address these issues and champion Dyslexic Thinking.

That’s why he was thrilled to hear that the team would be partnering with Unite BVI – his not-for-profit in the British Virgin Islands – and the BVI’s Ministry of Education to deliver a groundbreaking Dyslexic Thinking development program.  

This program uses Made By Dyslexia’s free training to equip teachers with everything they need to best support students with dyslexia, alongside other diverse learners.

What’s truly amazing is that this training is available online, for free, to any teacher, anywhere in the world. This means every school has the opportunity to follow the BVI’s lead and transform how they support dyslexic students.  

To kickstart this movement, more than 300 teachers gathered on the island of Tortola, joined by Richard Branson; the CEO of the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Crabb; and Made By Dyslexia’s incredible CEO, Kate Griggs.

It was inspiring to be in a room full of people ready to do things differently. During a panel discussion, Branson shared how Dyslexic Thinking has shaped his life and career, while Kate and others highlighted the urgent need for systemic change in education.  

Spreading the Word: Xtraordinary People The work that Made By Dyslexia is doing – not just in the BVI but all over the world – is vital. As part of this mission, Kate Griggs is re-releasing her fantastic children’s book, Xtraordinary People: Made By Dyslexia.

This book helps young dyslexics spot and understand their unique strengths, empowering them to embrace their potential. It’s a powerful tool for children, parents, and educators alike.  

It’s time to stop seeing dyslexia as a disorder and start seeing it as the extraordinary gift it truly is. Together, we can change the narrative – and the future – for dyslexic thinkers everywhere.  

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