Underdog to Innovator: Dyslexia, Determination, and Democratizing Finance

Charles, the Underdog

Charlie was a guy who didn't let hard times stop him. He had a tough time reading because of dyslexia, but it also honed his ability to think outside the box, a skill that would later become his trademark in the business world.

He started working in the steel industry and quickly showed he was different. He rose quickly through the ranks, not just because of his business acumen but also due to his unique approach to dealing with people. He treated workers with respect and empathy, a rarity in an age of ruthless industrial leaders. This people-first approach later became a cornerstone of his investment philosophy.

However, life was not without its setbacks. The 1929 stock market crash was a massive blow, leaving Schwab in debt and his reputation tarnished. Yet, he refused to be defeated. With his resilience, Schwab began rebuilding his life with the same determination and optimism that had marked his early career.

His biggest move was starting his own company, Charles Schwab & Co., in 1971. He had a game-changing idea: Why not let regular folks invest in stocks, not just the rich? Schwab embraced technology, making investing accessible, cheaper, and easier for people through online platforms.

His innovations didn't stop there. He democratized financial information, empowering individuals to make informed investment decisions.

Today, Charles Schwab's legacy lives on. His journey from overcoming personal struggles to reshaping the investment world serves as an inspiration. He showed that with resilience, empathy, and a willingness to challenge the status quo, one could succeed and pave the way for others to follow.

The Value of Understanding Strengths

When I was growing up, I knew dyslexia as a trait that made reading and spelling more difficult for some of my friends. What I didn't know was how many strengths that came with it.

There is more research, awareness, and data to show that dyslexics:

• Excel in creative thinking

• Have a high degree of empathy

• Have strong memory skills

• Excel in narrative reasoning

• Strong visual-spacial skills

Why am I talking about a trait that Charles Schwab had and currently about 20% of the population?

What I initially thought of as being a learning disorder... can be a trait that contributes to successful teams.

If we understand the strengths of various individuals as leaders, we will be more effective, productive, fulfilled, and sought after.

How can we invest in ourselves to build determination? There are a few ways that have helped me and many others whom I see as determined. 

1. Set Clear Goals: Define specific, achievable objectives. What do I want to accomplish? Write it down!

2. Find Your 'Why': Understand the deeper reasons behind your goals. The time we take to understand this will help us go far. 

3. Visualize Success: Picture achieving your goals to boost motivation. It sounds like a stretch but this can manifest the pathways and guide decisions to get there. 

4. Break It Down: Tackle your goals in smaller, manageable steps. A small step is still a direction forward. 

5. Stay Positive: Cultivate an optimistic mindset. Stay real but focus on the problem to solve now to make progress. Then celebrate!

6. Seek Support: Ask for help and get comfortable with it... it will open up a new world of growth. 

7. Keep Learning: Continuously acquire new knowledge and skills. Being too busy to learn is an excuse I hear often. 

Remember, determination is like a muscle – the more you work on it, the stronger it gets! Let's keep moving forward. 

For more ways to invest in ourselves and work on our mindset to keep moving forward, check out my book Physician Underdog.