Barbara Corcoran: How Dyslexia Influenced My Journey to Success
Barbara Corcoran, renowned real estate investor and one of the prominent personalities on Shark Tank, credits her dyslexia with having a profound impact on her career trajectory. While she faced significant challenges during her formative years due to this learning disability, Corcoran has emphasized how these very challenges cultivated skills that became vital for her success in business.
A Journey Through Academic Struggles
In a revealing interview on November 15, 2017, with Eyewitness News, Corcoran reflected on her dyslexia:
“I could think of an idea a minute and apply it to work and so tremendous gains.”
Corcoran candidly shared her experiences of academic difficulties, often feeling overshadowed by her more academically gifted siblings. She recalled an era when learning disabilities weren’t fully understood, which led to stigmatization and inadequate support for affected students. Despite these challenges, she derived significant strengths from her experience, attributing her determination, competitiveness, and resilience to the obstacles she faced.
Building Resilience and Competitiveness
Corcoran noted that her struggles during school motivated her to assert her worth and capabilities. She remarked:
“When you’re a loser at school, which I certainly was, we had ten kids, seven of them were A students without opening a book, and three of us were dyslexic.”
Having been underestimated by many, Corcoran’s drive for success transformed her into a competitive force within the business world. She stated:
“I think definitely, without a doubt, my aggressiveness and my insistence on making something of myself and my competitiveness… it is an attempt to make up for those days and to prove that I’m not stupid.”
This tenacity has been instrumental in her entrepreneurial achievements, enabling her to face challenges head-on and take calculated risks.
Innovation and Creative Thinking
Corcoran attributes much of her creative problem-solving skills to her dyslexia, which forced her to adopt unconventional methods of learning:
“If you can’t learn anything at school, you got to think of something, and I sat all day long using my imagination.”
This inclination towards innovation has been crucial in her business ventures, shaping her identity as a leader who embraces creativity. She remarked:
“Once you get into business, if you have a business of your own, you become an innovator.”
For Corcoran, dyslexia has not only equipped her to navigate uncertainty but has also sharpened her ability to devise unique strategies to overcome barriers.
Dyslexia’s Influence on Leadership
Beyond her individual success, Corcoran believes that her experiences with dyslexia have shaped her leadership style, enriching her interactions with colleagues and entrepreneurs alike. She stated:
“Once you’re in the position of someone speaking down to you or making fun of you, you can never look down or talk down to anyone for the rest of your life.”
This perspective has fostered a nurturing environment in her business dealings, allowing her to build strong relationships with team members and to empathize with those facing challenges. Furthermore, her ability to identify authenticity in entrepreneurs has been a pivotal skill during her time on Shark Tank, enabling her to assess others’ struggles effectively.
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