The Gift of Stuttering | Iain Wilkie | TEDxFrensham

Do stuttering voices create more powerful words, leading us to slow down and listen?The speaker takes us on his story of developing and eventually accepting his stutter and the gift that it brings. If we can slow down, be present, really present, and listen - the power of the words you wait for can be truly phenomenal. Iain Wilkie rose to the challenge of succeeding as a quiet leader with a stutter in a large global organisation - becoming an equity partner in EY for 21 years, including as a member of the UK & Ireland Leadership Team and chair of the UK firm's Partner Code of Conduct Committee. Since leaving EY in 2017, he has built his coaching and mentoring practice and founded 50 Million Voices - a global charity with a footprint in 5 continents. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@michaeljbuckley]

So many people fear public speaking. To Iain and the other members of 50 Million Voices I can't imagine how difficult the first time that they've done a talk. Yet as Iain points out there is power in the stutter. Delighted to have come across this gem of a talk.

[@iainwilkie6845]

Really glad you enjoyed the talk Michael. Thank you for your wonderful feedback.

[@lynnettelau]

The ‘boy with the stutter’ is inspirational in sharing how a challenge, something ‘different’ can be a gift. We all have our own journey. We all have our own struggles & problems. Seeing them as a gift can be so hard. Iain has shown me how to embrace the difficulties, learn how to not just live with the differences… but find a way to thrive … for sure, not an easy task. His courage is huge. 🌈 His wisdom is a gift. His vulnerability speaks volumes. I am learning to listen better. 🤗

[@iainwilkie6845]

Thank you Lynnette. Congratulations on how you are embracing the difficulties and, whilst not easy, finding your own unique way to thrive with them.

[@sagwal13]

The kind of talk we all look forward to listen to, and especially inspiring to me as a fellow person who stammers. When we also see it as a gift of listening, it truly makes sense.

[@iainwilkie6845]

Thank you Shilpa. I'm delighted that, as a person who stammers, you found it inspiring!

[@eldestof]

Especially just now, the opportunity for better listening is not to be missed and especially to forge better connections with others. Thank you for this talk.

[@iainwilkie6845]

Thank you Fiona. Anything that forges better connections must be worth doing - including listening more patiently and respectfully.

[@stephenthomas9351]

Wow! Truly inspirational. As someone who stammers this has given me the courage to speak up. Thank you Iain!

[@iainwilkie6845]

Well done Stephen for finding the courage to speak up. Big respect! I wish you every success as you courageously take your next step forward.

[@helencarpenter9587]

I found this powerful, personal & heartfelt on staying present in the moment in connection with others. The idea of the gift of a stuttering voice is precious for us all, because it's not a one-way thing. Speaking & listening is reciprocal..what we hear depends on how we listen.

[@IainWilkie-op2ny]

Thanks for your super comments and am so pleased you enjoyed it Helen. Am very grateful for our working together in creating 50 Million Voices and the different perspectives you bring.

[@lynnecooper6628]

This gave me new insights into stuttering, as well as new perspectives on listening. Really interesting to hear the speaker's personal story and the amazing work he is championing through 50 Million Voices.

[@iainwilkie6845]

Thank you Lynne. Am delighted to hear that my talk has helped to give new insights and perspectives. Thank you also for your supportive words regarding 50 Million Voices.

[@gerganamingova1654]

An outstanding person with an outstanding purpose. It was one of the greatest honours of my life to have worked with Iain, leant from him and really experience the gift of listening and connection with others he is describing. It is great to witness the impact he is creating for others and his legacy at EY and the world as a whole.

[@IainWilkie-op2ny]

Thanks very much for your generous comments Gergana. It was always a pleasure to work with you too and to witness your wider interests in helping others within work and beyond.

[@meimelysa]

​@@IainWilkie-op2ny Thank you so much for sharing ❤ stuttering is a part of my life.. I have deal with it.. and embrace it.. I thank God that God let me to improve myself through job as a Nurse.. and I really love it❤. May I know, what is the community for those who are stutter like what you mentioned ? I would be thrilled to join ❤ Thank you again!

[@gemmell88]

Fantastic talk, which will provide inspiration to so many. It certainly does to me. Wonderful to hear about the difference 50 Million Voices is making to people’s lives

[@iainwilkie6845]

Thank you Chris. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed my talk and found it inspirational.

[@FootlooseFishing]

Before I watch this, as a stutterer who stutters BARELY anymore at 23 but in general since I was 13ish, I still deal with all the psychological impacts and mechanism that it holds on me, I can say for certainty that there is no 'gift' about it. Mark my words.

[@AMBIstuttering]

An amazing point of view about stammering, so clearly conveived. And a super important initiative !!

[@IainWilkie-op2ny]

Thanks so much @Ambistuttering. Well one for all you're doing to help people who stutter!

[@richardparent8480]

The sound was not good enough for me to understand what you said Iain. But I hope that this for you was a first hit to be followed by many others. The more we speak in public, the more we get used to it. Of course, for someone who stutter, that is not obvious. I was a Toastmasters member for four years and I really enjoyed the experience. Congratulations Iain for having done it.

[@iainwilkie6845]

Thank you Richard. I'm sorry that the sound was not good enough. It's great that you mention Toastmasters as many people who stutter /stammer have benefitted from joining them.

[@dawoodwaris]

I stutter and stammer at a very young age. My mother was physically and mentally abusive towards me at a youny age and I am guessing the anxiety living at a mad house made me stutter the rest of my life.

[@IainWilkie-op2ny]

I'm sorry to hear of the abuse that you suffered as a child. Anxiety can be both a consequence of, and a trigger for, stuttering. I hope you are able to find a more peaceful way forward these days.

[@bjhill4448]

I note that you brough up the song “You ain’t seen nothing yet” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive that was released in 1974. Were attitudes to stuttering different then?

[@Sahilm41]

Inspires me, i too stammer sibce my school days.. my schoolmates, friends and family still throw comments on my way speaking it Irritates and became more anxious, my lovedone comment and rejected me..

[@IainWilkie-op2ny]

I'm sorry to hear of the challenges you have faced, and continue to face, as a result of your stammering. In some countries there are supportive networks for people who stammer which are run by people who stammer These can be very helpful and you can meet other people who stammer and learn from each other. For example: Indian Stammering Association, STAMMA in the UK, or National Stuttering Association in the USA. There is also the World Stuttering Network run by people who stutter/stammer. 50 Million Voices, which I chair, runs online events to help people who stammer, including with job interviews.

[@shalomtheboss6655]

What's the stuttering company that the sky started What's the name of it????????