David Lamberti

Detroit, MI
Creative Director
OUTFRONT

Briefly describe your daily job duties.
Design advertising campaigns, consult with current and potential clients, manage a team of Art Directors and Graphic Designers.

As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job.
From the outside, I suppose you would think it would be the constant personal interactions and group presentations that are called for, but I take on every interaction as a challenge. If you have something valuable to say people will listen (no matter how long it takes or how many times you have to say it). I have always made sure I am well informed and on top of my skill sets. That expertise and knowledge gives me the confidence I need.

What are your long-term career aspirations?
To continue to use my skills to help businesses achieve success and to help those on my team grow and reach their full potential.

Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process?
I have always been upfront about it and explain that I am not nervous or unsure, this is just the way I am wired. I am a visual artist, so my work does most of my talking for me, so that has always helped. I’m paid to be a creative, critical thinker, sometimes I joke that there are so many ideas in my head it’s almost like they are tripping over each other trying to get out.

What is your proudest moment at your current company?
I work hard to make sure those around me grow and succeed. Discussing perceived obstacles and finding ways around or through them occurs on a daily basis. It’s something I know a thing or two about. Thanks, stuttering!

Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work.
My stuttering pushed me inward as a child, but it helped me grow as a visual artist because drawing and painting was my language. As I got older and learned to accept my stuttering, I was able to turn that voice into a career. Stuttering also makes me a better, more valued contributor because it causes me to think before I speak, resulting in more thoughtful responses.

What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success?
You are probably more concerned about your stuttering than anyone else! Research and learn as much as you can about the company you are targeting. Find someone to practice answering interview questions with. Practice once, practice twice, practice three times. For those already in a career, my advice is the same, know your stuff. If you have to present practice, practice, practice. In both cases, confidence in content breeds fluidity. We are all different, but the day I stopped worrying what others thought of my stutter everything changed.