November 11 Meeting Update: Full Disclosure

We had a larger than normal group meeting and I wanted to share the article "Stuttering and the Power of Powerless Communication" again since many haven’t read it. This was a major topic for last month's meeting.  After taking turns reading a paragraph, we discussed what people thought.  What was interesting was that a few didn’t agree: if you suffer from severe stuttering, you’ll never be in a commanding position to insight dialogue.

After our normal introductions and brief update on what’s going on, we transitioned into the questions, “What do you do for a career and what are your biggest challenges you face at the job?”  The group was eager to aid in ideas to better that person’s situation.  The phone, giving your name and directing people in a group setting were the biggest challenges. 

The group's thoughts related to the phone were “Don’t fear it.”  Learn to master it by using it.  At the beginning of the phone call, let the person know that you’d like to take a little more time to make sure you get all the information.  Pause a bit more to collect your thoughts and lastly, take control.  If you’re calm and collected, you’ll be able to lead the conversation and take charge of the call by shaping the direction you want it to go.  What’s better, you’ll be able to comprehend the conversation and be in the moment. 

A seed developed throughout the meeting into the idea of full disclosure.  Many of us in the group have been covert stutterers for many years and not able to reach out to find others like us.  What surprised me was how many young people are able to understand and deal with this.  Facebook, YouTube and the web have aided this.  Being open and honest about our stuttering in life, with friends and even in a job interview has allowed us to be cool with it.  Full Disclosure is our pass to taking control.