We’re not like you, that’s why you’re like us
Media Bounty’s Monica Kulkarni shares what the Harris campaign can teach ethical brands about unity
Linn Frost shares her experiences of dyslexia and her journey of acceptance
I’ve never truly understood what belonging felt like until I sat in the Lincoln Centre at the World Dyslexia Assembly in a room full of people just like me. Listening to some of the world's most talented people in education and business talk about their dyslexia and experiences of growing up in a time where the narrative had not yet been re-defined as positive, I understood that what we share is nothing other than a superpower.
As they talked I realised that our childhoods defined us, and our adulthoods and who we are now united us.
Talented and successful in our careers and yet we all suffered as children. We struggled to understand why learning to read something that is meant to be so simple felt so hard.
Feeling stupid and worthless with a huge sense of anxiety and dread when asked to read and write something.
The frustration of not being able to get down on paper the thing that you can so clearly see in your head.
Feeling stupid and worthless with a huge sense of anxiety and dread when asked to read and write something.
Linn Frost, MD UK & Europe, The Social Element
Having headaches, stomach aches and a huge sense of panic about going to school, often getting yourself sent home sick to avoid having to reveal that you are struggling and can’t do the work. I had totally forgotten experiencing this, which happened nearly every day.
But those days didn’t last forever. And I soon came to see that what made me different, made me exceptional.
We are masters at building teams. We know that to stay ahead we need people to help with the things they are not good at. In my case, it’s my personal finances and dreaded admin.
We are problem-solvers, quick to jump in with a solution and knowing exactly what to do.
We are vivid visualisers, seeing things so clearly like you can touch it and not realising not everyone has this skill.
We are highly empathetic and are able to intuitively understand someone else’s situation.
We build rapport at speed, forming instant bonds that fuel strong relationships as you inquisitively find out everything you can about the person you have just met. It's one of the things I love most and as a Client Services Director made me one of the best.
So, when they asked the question ‘what would you say to your seven year kid self?’, it had the majority of us in tears.
What I would say to 7 year old Linn is:
You aren’t stupid
You will be fine, in fact more than fine, you are going to thrive
You have a sharp mind, quick wit and creative superpowers that will see you work with the most incredible people
I want to congratulate you for being you because you are enough.
Alas time travel doesn’t exist. But I can look ahead.
The resounding advice from the impressive exceptionally talented people on the stage, who have all excelled in their careers, is to focus your work within your area of passion and make sure it's the thing that brings you the most joy.
When this happens, a beautifully dyslexic person is truly unstoppable.
I am unstoppable.
Linn Frost is an innovative brand builder and marketeer who has spent the last 20 years, both agency and brand-side, working with brands including Dove, BP, and M&S. She was previously the Marketing Director for Virgin Red and held roles at Ogilvy and Truant London. She is now the Managing Director of The Social Element, a Social Media agency that enables brands to build genuine human connections with their audience, driving brand growth and loyalty. Linn is proudly dyslexic. She is currently working with the charity Made By Dyslexia to ensure that all schools and employers are equipped to harness their students and employees’ superpowers.
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