Week 3 started with an open question: ‘How’s your week been?’.
It was at this point in the process that I felt open and comfortable enough to dig deep into my past and answer the question honestly.
Last week, I was still working on what my triggers were that sent me into an anxious stress cycle. This week, I’ve learnt that there may be something deeper afoot.
A few years back, I went through a terrible time in the workplace. I was at the mercy of the negative stereotypes they held of dyslexia, the impression of me slipping from someone professional to someone who’s slacking; the only factor being that I said the words ‘I’ and ‘have’ and ‘dyslexia’.
So we began from that point at the beginning of the session and used that to figure out and understand just how I can come to peace with being my dyslexic self in the workplace.
Part of why I get anxious is because the fear of being ‘found out’ is greater than the confidence I have in my own abilities – my mind spirals if I believe I’ve just been misunderstood.
My coach then asked me if we could bring in those particular members into our coaching session – this is a great opportunity for anyone who feels comfortable enough to have the other person join so they can tackle the challenges head-on.
But it wasn’t all dwelling on the negative; we talked about the positive attitudes I have at work, and how inclusion and healthy boundaries help dyslexic people. It’s being able to be flexible enough to take a break or start a little earlier or later, and it being the same for everyone regardless of who they are.
By this third session, I had come to understand what I want support on for the next few sessions I have left:
Email management
Working out what my dyslexic strengths are
Understanding how I can reduce stress and anxiety throughout the workday
I’ve certainly been able to clear my head and rationalise my thoughts with dyslexia workplace strategy coaching – as you can see from the vulnerability I’ve shown since starting – which are results in themselves.
Armelle works in the data industry as a marketing professional, alongside running Girls with Dyslexia where she advocates for dyslexia awareness, support and empowerment. Her most recent accomplishments include speaking at the Dyslexia Show 2023, and has been featured in the Indeed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report 2023.
Armelle was diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia during her final year of Loughborough University studying BSc International Business, where the transition from study to work life prompted her to embark on her Girls with Dyslexia journey.
