Work Problems And Speech
Posted on: March 12, 2013
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- 2 Comments
I have been experiencing a lot of stress and tension at work recently. My team is facing challenges and opportunities as we look to grow and expand our programs. It feels like we are experiencing growing pains.
I have reached out to one or two people for counsel and advice as I try to work my way through a tough time. The problem seems to be just basic communication.
Isn’t it funny that both people who stutter and those who don’t all grapple with communication stuff? It really is at the heart of everything that we do.
One of the friends I talked with wondered if I am perhaps feeling anxious because of my stuttering.
It’s not that at all. Yes, stress and tension exacerbates my stuttering but that is not causing the tough situation (I don’t think!)
Maybe it’s just plain not a good fit. I am definitely exploring that as well, with as much honesty as I can.
I think I am doing a pretty good job of staying focused (maybe too much) on the issues at hand at work and not on my stuttering. I have noticed more stuttering when I feel most stressed, but I don’t think it’s impacting my work in any way.
Has anybody had any similar situations? Rough patches at work? Do you think your stuttering has anything to do with it?
2 Responses to "Work Problems And Speech"
March 14, 2013 at 5:19 PM
Stress always makes the stutter worse. Having personal issues with someone makes one not want to talk to that other person, anyway. If you can’t get past disagreeing with someone on policy, or you plain dislike them and can’t work with them, maybe the team isn’t a good fit. Does there have to be total consensus, or can the “teammate” whose views are an obstacle be replaced? (Sorry if that person is you!)
It’s terrific that your programs are expanding in an age of economic contraction, by the way. Nice problem to have!
Make Room For The Stuttering 
March 14, 2013 at 9:25 AM
Hi Pam,
I think when you use the phrase’growing pains’ you hit the nail on the head. I found that when I was in a new or challenging situation in work I would find myself thrown back to my younger self who was full of insecurities, worries and negative attitudes to my stammering. I found I slid back into my role of public fluency and major covert stutterer and had to ‘grow’ out of it again. Being in a challenging situation caused me to struggle with my speech more which made me more anxious which made me struggle with my speech more which made the situation more challenging. Change and challenge is always difficult but recognising that you’ve probably been there before and managed beautifully might help you deal with the situation now.
Veronica