Professional Stuttering
Posted on: December 13, 2013
- In: Posts
- 5 Comments
How many of you stutter professionally? That is, stutter on the job, openly without trying to hide it? I do!
It’s not always easy, as sometimes it feels awkward to allow myself to be so vulnerable in the workplace.
There used to be a time when I would switch words when I got into a block or stuttering moment. Or I would cough or clear my throat, anything to deflect attention away from that vulnerable moment.
Now, I just stay with it and allow myself to stutter, even when a tiny bit of embarrassment creeps in. I think that’s what I have the hardest time with – when I feel a flush of color to my necks and cheeks. I don’t actually feel embarrassed, but may LOOK embarrassed when that happens.
Has anybody had that happen? How does it make you feel? Are you OK with stuttering at work?
5 Responses to "Professional Stuttering"
December 14, 2013 at 10:44 AM
With me, there are some work situations where I am overt, and some, too many, where I still practice covert behavior. Those are situations wherein I feel threatened by the people, or, in other words, not confident in myself. This blog is a nice reminder to keep going, keep making those incremental improvements whereby I can speak more openly in more and more situations.
December 16, 2013 at 5:35 PM
I stutter in the workplace, now, after years of being covert.
I’m aware I look embarrassed when it happens, but I’m trying less and less to let it bother me.
I agree with Pam in that if you give yourself permission to stutter, it makes life so much easier. Let’s face it – we’re in work for a third of our lives – it’s important to feel at ease there!
February 20, 2014 at 11:02 PM
I’m a teacher. Growing up, I just didn’t talk. Much of my therapy was just getting myself confidence. I am now teaching art in a public school. Lately my speech has just become hard to deal with and except. I’m embarrassed, afraid the kids are laughing, even tho I talk to them and they are pretty good about it, I just still let it get the bast of me. My name is the worst. I even leave meetings when they star going around and introducing ourself.
Make Room For The Stuttering 
December 13, 2013 at 11:14 AM
I know that I probably should, but I don’t. I’m still replacing words and coughing, etc. How did you make those first steps to being “overt”?
December 13, 2013 at 12:20 PM
It took me a while to go from “covert to overt.” It was definitely baby steps. The best thing I did was tell people at work that I stutter and that I’m OK with it. Once it’s out there in the open, it’s much easy to give myself permission to stutter.
Even though those darn moments of shame creep in every once in a while – so unexpectedly and always at the most inopportune times.