Briefly describe your daily job duties
I am a Sales Consultant at Subaru South Charlotte. I am responsible for selling new and used cars by greeting customers and showing our products.
Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work
I think that my stutter brings a level of authenticity to the sales process. Car sales people are historically thought to be sleazy and dishonest, but I have found that my stutter creates a sense of vulnerability and allows me to connect with my customers more deeply.
What is your proudest moment at your current company
OMG. I actually had a lady (not my customer) but a customer at my store, offer to pray for my stutter. I was totally taken aback. Now that I think of it, I think I have had two customers ask to “pray my stutter away”. I was so proud to tell both individuals that I am not ashamed of my stutter and that there was no need to pray it away. That’s something I would not have said prior to the NSA. THE NERVE!
As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job
The part of stuttering that makes me most successful at my job, also can prove to be a challenge. Because car sales people are thought to be dishonest and stuttering is sometimes correlated with lying, I always want to come off as being as authentic and honest as possible. It could be an internal feeling, but sometimes when I stutter, I feel like my customer thinks I’m being dishonest
How supported at work do you feel by your co-workers, supervisor(s) and the company itself
I am not sure how supported I feel. I don’t not feel supported. I am very open about being a person who stutters. I never feel rushed when I am speaking to my coworkers or managers. I can appreciate that.
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 coworkers, clients and or customers
I did and always do! I feel like it is so important to self disclose. It puts me at ease during the hiring process and shows the hiring manager or interviewer that I am ok with my stutter. It also allows me to stutter with confidence, which is SO important to me.
I usually disclose it at the beginning of the conversation when I am asked “tell me a little about yourself”. I highlight my professional career and then say something along the lines of “I am also a person who stutters, please feel free to ask any questions about stuttering because it is one of my favorite subjects!”
In my day to day interactions I just openly stutter. Some people inquire deeper, some do not.
What are your long-term career aspirations
SALES. I am not sure if I will stay in car sales, but I have found that I genuinely love sales. I love talking to people and finding out their needs and whether or not my product can fit that need. Even when I do not make a sale, I meet the most interesting people that have lived or are living really cool lives! I also love the connections I’ve made with my customers. A lot of my customers will stop by the dealership just to catch up with me and me with them. I love it!
What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success
I think you HAVE to accept yourself as a person who stutters. That is the first step. It is not an easy one, but when I fully accepted it, I have thrived. It is hard to live life not being yourself. You are the best you there is! Show people that. Does stuttering suck some days? ABSOLUTELY. I think stuttering can suck AND I think it is perfectly ok to stutter.
