Thinking Differently: The Dyslexic Advantage in Building Business-Changing Processes

TL;DR

The real change-makers in business aren’t just those who adopt new tools—they’re the ones who rethink and redesign processes to drive real transformation. Inspired by Satya Nadella’s insights on AI and change management, this article explores how dyslexic thinkers have a unique advantage in visualizing and innovating systems. It challenges you to break free from outdated methods, start with a blank slate, and reimagine business processes in an AI-enabled world. The future belongs to those who design it—so how will you rethink the way you work?

The Power of Rethinking Processes

Recently, I came across a fascinating podcast episode hosted by Dwarkesh Patel, titled Satya Nadella - Microsoft's AGI Plan & Quantum Breakthrough. Given my new responsibility in shaping business processes, the discussion struck a chord with me—particularly Nadella’s insights on how true transformation doesn’t just come from adopting new technologies, but from rethinking and redesigning the processes that drive change. The conversation explored the future of AI and quantum computing, but what really stood out to me was his perspective on what sets transformational leaders apart: the ability to move beyond existing tools and create entirely new systems that make lasting change possible.

For me, the podcast confirmed something I’ve always suspected: real progress comes from rethinking how we do things, not just what we do. That belief resonates even more now as I take on a role that challenges me to design and refine processes that could fundamentally improve the way we work. And as a dyslexic thinker, I feel uniquely equipped for this challenge.

The Dyslexic Advantage in Systems Thinking

Dyslexia, as I’ve come to personally understand it, isn’t just about seeing words differently—it’s about seeing systems differently. For example, I often visualize an entire workflow as a 3D model in my mind, identifying inefficiencies that others might not immediately recognize. This ability has helped me redesign processes to be smoother and more effective. Dyslexic thinkers naturally connect dots others might miss, visualizing the ripple effects of small changes and understanding how they cascade through entire organizations. The ability to conceptualize complex workflows, break them apart, and reassemble them in more efficient ways is a strength I’ve leaned on time and again.

The Challenge of Communication and Change

Nadella’s insights reaffirmed this strength and reminded me of another crucial aspect of process innovation: never assume that others see things the same way you do. I’ve experienced this firsthand when rolling out a new workflow—what seemed like an intuitive improvement to me was met with confusion by colleagues who viewed the process differently. It took stepping back, gathering feedback, and rethinking how I communicated the changes, ensuring that all stakeholders could clearly understand and get on board. As dyslexic thinkers, we often excel at empathy, which helps bridge these gaps and create processes that work for everyone. Something that appears crystal clear to one person might feel like navigating a dense fog for another. That’s why effective change leaders listen, empathize, and communicate clearly, meeting people where they are. Recognizing and addressing these differences can be the key to turning great ideas into processes that everyone understands and embraces.

A Challenge to Think Outside the Box

This brings me to a challenge I’d like to pose to all of you this week: How can we think more like process innovators? How can we leverage our ability to see connections and patterns in new ways, to map out fresh workflows, and to help others navigate the transition from old to new?

Let’s not just make incremental improvements; let’s ask ourselves how we can truly think outside the box. Maybe it’s about clearing out what we know and starting from a blank sheet—imagining what’s possible if there were no constraints. In an AI-enabled world, many of the traditional limitations we’ve worked around no longer exist. Just because we’ve always done things a certain way doesn’t mean we should continue—our processes were shaped by the restrictions of the time. So, how can we reimagine them now?

Your Call to Action

Use your unique perspective—your ability to think visually, your knack for creative problem-solving—to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Identify one process in your work that feels outdated or inefficient. View it through a different lens: What connections or patterns do you see that others might overlook? How might you reimagine that process entirely?

Once you’ve considered that, share your solutions. What steps could you take to make that vision a reality? By collaborating and exchanging ideas, we can transform this challenge into a source of inspiration and innovation.

The real difference-makers aren’t those who wait for change to happen—they’re the ones who design and implement the processes that enable it. By thinking differently, adapting our communication, and taking bold steps toward new approaches, we can be those people.

I’m #MadeByDyslexia – expect creative thinking & creative spelling.