Kuldip Bhatt
Briefly describe your daily job duties.
Helping businesses accelerate outcomes with IT Modernization and Automation. Also a certified financial consultant – leading a very efficient team providing creative mortgage solutions. I also teach music (vocal and instrumental) in the evenings and weekends.
As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job.
As a person who stutters, I have learned to convert challenges into opportunities. The most challenging parts of my job help me push myself further to keep improving. I don’t view challenges as difficulties but as chances for growth.
For example, when expressing my views in a high-paced team meeting, if I sense that my stuttering is slowing me or my team’s goals down, I take a deep breath and focus on speaking from the heart rather than just from the tongue or mouth. I recognize that I might be different from everyone else in the meeting room, but every person has their own unique differences.
In addition to these strategies, I meditate and practice Naad Yoga vocal workouts daily as part of my training in the ancient art form of Dhrupad style singing in Indian Classical music. This daily vocal practice significantly aids my ability to communicate effectively. Communication methods have evolved, and speaking need not be the only method. There are whiteboards and many other mediums available to convey ideas effectively.
What are your long-term career aspirations?
My long-term career aspirations include making a difference in my community daily, becoming a better husband, father, and citizen, and spreading kindness and positivity. I strive to continually improve as an IT leader and aim to become a better technologist, change agent, social entrepreneur, musician, mentor, and business consultant.
Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? If so, how did you do it and how do you currently disclose your stuttering to unsuspecting co-workers, clients and or customers?
I have not self-disclosed my stuttering during any of my job interviews in past. Everyone has a wide variety of ways of speaking, and I see my stuttering as just another variation. I’m neither scared nor self-conscious about disclosing my stuttering, but I choose not to volunteer this information upfront. I prefer to work for a hiring manager who focuses on my expertise and the substance of what I bring to the table, rather than my manner of speaking. If I do stutter during an interview, I simply slow down and keep going.
What is your proudest moment at your current company?
One of my proudest moments at my current company was when I met a client for an IT support contract. During our introductory discussion, I realized they were not fully utilizing their current stack of cloud applications. Over a casual coffee discussion, I provided them with some quick ideas that helped them completely digitize their document repository into an intranet. This intranet is now used across multiple sites and provides industry-standard access control, saving them thousands of dollars and completely streamlining their technology roadmap. And, of course, I also won the consulting project I quoted for!
Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work.
Stuttering has made me a better, more valued contributor at work and in my community in several ways. It has taught me patience and resilience, qualities that are essential in a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment. I approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset, focusing on substance over style. This perspective ensures that my contributions are thoughtful and well-considered.
Additionally, my experience with stuttering helps me continually improve my empathy and understanding towards others. I am more aware of the diverse communication styles and needs of my colleagues, which propagates a more inclusive and supportive team dynamic.
Furthermore, stuttering has improved my ability to listen actively. Because I take my time to articulate my thoughts, I have become an attentive listener, ensuring that I fully understand others’ points of view before responding. This skill is invaluable in collaborative settings, where effective communication is key to achieving our goals.
Overall, stuttering has equipped me with unique strengths that enhance my contributions and make me a valued member of my family, my team at work and my community.
What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success?
For people who stutter just entering the workplace: Embrace your unique way of communicating. Focus on your strengths and the value you bring to the team. Don’t be afraid to disclose your stuttering if it helps you feel more comfortable. Remember, your skills and contributions matter most.
For those in a career striving to achieve greater success: Continue to develop resilience and patience. Use your experiences to propagate empathy and understanding within your team. Leverage your active listening skills to build strong relationships and effective communication. Always focus on your goals and let your work speak for itself.
Reach out! While there are challenges and difficulties, there is also a nice and kind world out there. Don’t hesitate to reach out and discuss opportunities and possibilities. Today’s hiring trends encourage the employers that adopt to bio-diversity. Good leaders take pride in hiring a bio-diverse team. We just have to keep trying, keep going. This applies to just some of us who stutter, but to everyone.
