The Power of a Stutter | Sharon Steed | TEDxBrookings

Our insecurities are our super power. Learning to accept and harness them unlocks our true potential. Sharon Steed is a life-long stutterer. In this revealing and challenging talk, Steed shares how she uses her insecurity to reveal her true self, and how we all have insecurities we should embrace.

Steed uses her speech limitation to teach conference audiences as well as teams at companies about the value of vulnerability in communication.

Founder of Communilogue, an agency specializing in helping teams foster greater collaboration, Steed is an internationally recognized public speaker and marketer. She's worked with companies across the globe on identifying their ideal audience and creating content geared specifically towards who that audience is. Originally from Chicago, Steed currently lives in Pittsburgh.

[jehanzaib]

Most people don't even realize how tough was what she just did

[John-iybf]

Sharon, I hope you see this post. I have stuttered my whole life. I have a job in which I am in contact with many people every day. I don't know your pain, but I see your strength. I love this talk and I admire that you did it. I use to hide and ended up totally isolating myself. You are so right about hiding feeling safe at first. I missed many opportunities because of my fear of talking. Now I don't care what others think. I am me. If someone else is uncomfortable with me or thinks that I am weak, I don't need them around anyway. I love your attitude and strength. Keep moving forward. I know you will. Thank you.

[Greenteasink]

I cannot stress how strong this lady is, and how empowered she makes me feel!

[johnjayluyao]

Been frequently stuttering for 25 years now. It kills me so much. It makes me afraid to talk and I never opened my mouth unless it is a necessity. It makes me feel less. It makes me feel I'm not normal. It makes me feel different from normal people to the point that I don't even understand myself. The thought is clear in my mind but I'm struggling to express it verbally. I hate being laughed at when stuttering tries to interrupt me from expressing myself. I feel helpless. I feel hopeless. Sometimes, I question myself why am I like this. I have never opened this to anyone (I know that they know that I stutter) and I've been thinking for therapy but it never came to realization.

But in all of this, Lord I will praise you and worship you for everything. No disorder nor impairment can refrain me not to be grateful everyday of my life. To those who stutter out there, change the way you see yourself. You're God's masterpiece.

[jandevries]

It's easy to forget how exhausted it is finishing such a speech. Well done Sharon.

[rustybaskey]

I'm a severe stutterer. What I can't stand is when people try to finish my sentences. I can talk perfectly fine, it just takes longer.

[thomaschirwa]

I stutter as well and the fact that you are able to speak before an audience to the end is inspiring to me. I admire you courage truly.

[hamet]

I stutter and I know exactly how you felt out there but the fact that you finished your speech is so powerful, you represented us people that struggle with stutter in an incredible way. And your message is extremely on point. Love.

[beraldmuinde]

you are a strong woman sharon, ...i have stammered 24yrs now..i did not choose to be born with it but i choose how to live with it.

[robelzeray]

Every thing we want is on the other side of fear. Massive Respect.

[AbhinavSingh-qzuf]

I am stammer and carrying this for 21 years but never had courage to speak in front of even 3 people..but mam you are amazing the strongest person I have seen...your courage is something even bigger than

[alifnajmi]

Most of us doesn't realized how tough she is when she tries to complete the words that she wants to say

[hanibordeau]

U made me cry Am a stutterer too .. I used to stutter so bad when I was a kid but now I avoid much communication .. ur brave sister just accept urself

[erikvandeven]

I stuttered more than much half of what you did and it already affected my life and career tremendously. Stuttering is a serious issue and I am proud you did this speech! Just notice how silent the audience is.

[brolysujay]

Courage that took to give this talk would be monumental.
She is so brave.
I wish I had some of her courage.

[aqua-mina]

Thank you for sharing. I had a bad episode of stuttering today and I just needed to hear this.

And it's frustrating when people think that I'm dumber or need help speaking because I stutter.

I'll try to stop editing the stutter out of my videos, too, just because I'm tired of hiding.

[darnellbarnetted.s.]

Awesome speech. After looking at this, l will no longer be afraid to speak because of my stuttering. God bless you Sharon!

[theclassiccarman.bigbodysn]

This was very very inspiring for me. I’m going to go to school to be an RN and I stutter. I love people and the health field it self. I have a fear of stuttering while trying to tell or teach a family or my coworkers something. This has really given me the confidence in knowing, I cannot let stuttering define who I really am. I’m a wonderful person with a heart of gold and I want to change the lives of people. I currently work for hospice. I’m a lead technician, so I do a lot of talking all day from my coworkers to nurses, families or the patients them selfs and I’ve become so awesome in this field. I would of never thought 10 years ago I would have a job where I basically had to talk to the public on a day to day all day basis, but God is so amazing!!! Good luck everyone never give up on your dreams.

[LMorning]

I'll have to admit you one of the bravest being in the world. You are such an Inspiration, Sharon.

[isaacyaw]

being eloquent, fluent does not define bravery but making your point heard as a stammerer. Great job my friend. You are very beautiful. God bless you. Very courageous.