What is The Dandelion Principle?

To most people, a dandelion is simply an irritating weed that can ruin beautiful, lush grass, in front lawns, golf courses, and gardens. However, dandelions have dozens of positive characteristics! Did you know that the roots of a dandelion can be roasted to make a coffee substitute? I learned this over an interview I did for Dr. Jen Faber’s Podcast and had to pick up a bag of deliciousness that wouldn’t give me the jitters.

Did you know that the leaves are edible and can be used in various recipes? In fact, they are filled with calcium, iron, manganese, potassium, and vitamins A, C, E, K, riboflavin, and beta-carotene. Researchers in Canada are even studying whether an extract from dandelion roots could have cancer-combating potential.

So… why is this unique resource for wellness considered such a nuisance?

“The answer has to do with context: Within a carefully maintained lawn, the yellow dandelion, with its jagged leaves and long stalk, is out of place. However, in contexts that don’t call for uniformity, we can appreciate the dandelion’s distinctive attributes.”

In many ways, people with autism spectrum disorders have often been perceived similar to weeds that didn’t fit into standard job categories… however, once the company designs contexts that are aligned with the individuals’ capabilities and natural tendencies, the people who didn’t fit in elsewhere can add an immense amount of value.

“Like weeds in your front lawn, people who are 'different' — whether behaviorally or neurologically — don’t always fit into standard job categories. But if you can arrange working conditions to align with the abilities of such individuals, they can add significant value.”

According to Sloan Review at MIT, this is The Dandelion Principle. This principle relates to many other behavioral and neurological conditions classified as a “disability” which continues to reframe my thought, and the thoughts of others, around the wording on “disability”.

So often, we get comfortable with the way things are. That comfort sets us into a zone of mediocrity and satisfaction – but there’s so much more. Endless opportunity, community, and support that can build even more success for business and the community through the eyes of the diverse. This is where the term, “differently-abled” comes into play.

“In the face of many challenges, businesses shouldn’t be resigned to leaving talent on the table. Businesses can’t afford to set aside people who are different, especially in a world afflicted with serious difficulties, where we need different perspectives to help us innovate.”

Independent warriors from the differently-abled community have overcome severe adversity with a fresh perspective and unique skillsets. According to Sloan Review "The dandelion principle calls for hiring people with potentially differentiating skills and talents, assessing those skills carefully so you understand them, organizing the work context around the people to maximize their ability to create value, and developing their inherent talents to enlarge the potential for future, unanticipated forms of value creation."

Management is still required to make appropriate judgments about which attributes can brew up value but these judgments are liberal without the illusion of deriving specific job requirements from unchanging strategies. "When it’s difficult to anticipate the biggest opportunities and problems, people assets — specifically, people who approach problems from different perspectives — can help you adapt.”

“Forget trying to pass for normal. Follow your geekdom. Embrace your nerditude.” In the immortal words of Lafcadio Hearn, a geek of incredible obscurity whose work is still in print after a hundred years, ‘Woo the muse of the odd.’ Don’t become a well-rounded person. Well-rounded people are smooth and dull. Become a thoroughly spiky person. Grow spikes from every angle. Stick in their throats like a pufferfish.” - B. Sterling, “The Wonderful Power of Storytelling”

Thank you for reading and for your continued support in advocating for the differently-abled community. Together, we can change the world and the perceptions and pre-conceived notions against "disability".

Chantel is a top LinkedIn creator, owner of Stardust Creative, LLC, and host of the (Un)Learn Show on the social networking platform featuring notable guests who have broken bad habits.

 By administering the power of positive thinking, Chantel has overcome severe personal and professional obstacles. Chantel is a wise leader who practices what she preaches, yet her message is always delivered with love, kindness, and generosity. Chantel spends a substantial portion of her time coaching others to accept and believe in themselves, and to treat one another with dignity and value, recognizing we are all brothers and sisters.

You’ll be inspired by her courage, captured by her humble, soft nature, and empowered by her story. Through her storytelling, we are invited to fully accept what we may perceive as our own, personal weaknesses, to embrace challenges as opportunities, and to convert them into strengths. Likewise, we are encouraged to explore and value the diversity of our brothers and sisters in life. Imagine the culture-shifts that would occur in our world, our country, our workplaces, and our homes if we did so.