From Dyslexia to Digital Leadership: My Journey in the World of Technology

Growing up with dyslexia was no picnic. It was always a struggle at school—words seemed to do a little jig on the page, and numbers would not fall into line with each other for anything. The way traditional education is set up did not work for me, so very quickly, I felt behind.

Instead of letting it define me, I decided to allow it to drive me. In this way, I turned the early adversities into opportunities that eventually led to my discovery of passion for technology and to building a career that took me from the very first Vodafone store in the UK to the heart of Silicon Valley.

Finding a Path Through Adversity

Dyslexia felt like a curse in the old days. Each day at school posed a new challenge: reading aloud, taking notes, understanding complicated instructions. Very often, I was misunderstood—considered less able than my peers. Yet I knew that there was more to me than met the eye.

What truly put me on a divergent course was an increasing passion for technology. By the time the world was at the brink of transformation in every sphere of human life in the 1990s, I had seen technology as a savior, a means to wield my way through a world that was not designed for people like me. While traditional learning would have been something I really struggled with, somehow I seemed to understand how things worked, more especially technology. So I decided to follow this passion and make it my strength.

Gaining Access to the Tech Industry

I was at a turning point in my life after school. I either had to continue battling in an unsuitable environment for the way I learn or create my own way forward. So I took the latter and leaped into the technology sector.

My first big job was a game-changer; I opened the first Vodafone store in the UK. I remember back when mobiles were hardly making waves and to open a store just for them was a thought of boldness. The challenges were immense — no one had done this before, and there was no playbook to follow. But I thrived in that environment. I had to be creative, resourceful, and persistent.

Every day brought some new challenge, be it educating customers who have never seen a mobile phone, or working through logistics that are entirely new to the retail space. But it was a really tough learning curve, and I was only getting on my feet by focussing on the core of what mattered: understanding the technology, building a strong team, and creating a customer experience that was both educational and enjoyable. Our efforts paid off, and the store became a success. That experience taught me something about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of being willing to step into the unknown.

Across the Atlantic to the Googleplex

The former after which I worked for Vodafone, later going on to work with major companies like Virgin Media, Apple, and Google. At each stage, it was about exploring what more was in store, learning from some of the best in the business, and bringing those lessons back to the teams that I led.

One of the most transforming experiences in my career was the period spent with Google.

I had the great opportunity of being in full accountability for the launch and operation of the world's first Google shop. It was a thrilling project on its toes, handling huge teams, keeping the sharp focus on the goals—strategic and operational. We managed to double and at some points even triple our weekly targets, which was just awesome.

That work with Google brought me to the Googleplex in Mountain View, California, right in the heart of Silicon Valley. Where I first started to feel the unlimited power of technology. I met innovators and leaders who were pushing the boundaries of what was possible and learned first-hand how to foster a culture of creativity and experimentation.

Being at the Googleplex was an eye-opener; it connected the dots for me between technology and its role in shaping the future. This further solidified my belief that inclusivity is one important thing in technology: where the benefits derived from technology have to be extended to everyone, not a selected few.

Establishment of the "Cognitive Bicycle": A Future Think-Tank

The words of Steve Jobs, who said that technology is a "bicycle for the mind," really did inspire me. And so, "Mind Bicycle" was born from my think tank's name. We empower communities and bridge the digital divide by fostering inclusion in technology. Focus is laid on assisting local communities to acquire the right digital skills that will help them remain relevant in this ever-changing world.

"Mind Bicycle" directly collaborates with the local authorities, small businesses, and community groups in working out issues related to each of their unique cases for going digital. We provide customized training, resources, and support so that they make the most out of technology. Our mission is to make technology accessible to all, from workshops on digital literacy to SME consulting on how to navigate future employment.

Some of the most rewarding projects include those with rural communities in Lincolnshire to address digital exclusion. Collaborating with local governments and tech companies, we are delivering internet access and digital training to those parts of the county that have traditionally been left behind. That is to say, the reward is for having seen the older people start using digital tools for communication with their family or young people engaged in online education because of the result of our work.

Helping Small and Medium-sized Enterprises to Transition through the Future of Work

More than just community work, "Mind Bicycle" also made SMEs find their way into the labyrinth of the working environment, that AI and automation had come to dominate. Small businesses are significantly daunted by the swift pace of technological change. We want to demystify these technologies and to give firm, practical strategies that businesses could use to remain competitive. For example, we give workshops and consultancy services that allow businesses to understand how AI could make their efficiency in service, customer service, and decision-making processes better. We are also helping them in finding cost-effective digital tools that may be used to improve their operations without much financial burden.

Thoughts and Advice to the Next Generation

My journey from struggling with dyslexia to leading in the tech world has been full of really hard challenges yet a lot of good work and rewards. If anything, one thing I would tell a person starting off with their own journey is this: Embrace your unique challenges. They are not weaknesses but rather opportunities.

 

Kenny Wood

Founder at Mind Bicycle | Passionate STEM Ambassador | Shaping Tomorrow's Innovations & Ideas.

You can find out more and connect with Kenny on LinkedIn.