A manager is typically considered a leadership role, whether it is your responsible manager (who decides the programs you'll be on, manages your time, etc), or your project lead (who is directly responsible for your tasks on said programs). These roles are a bit more involved, and are typically responsible for more areas of the program. That means frequent meetings, teleconferences, meetings directly with customers and buyers, etc. Not saying it can't be done with a stutter, but it is definitely not a role where you can AVOID speaking. For someone who stays on the sidelines and is fairly quiet (like me), it would be a quite a challenge to be the center of attention, giving status speeches, feedback, etc. That's really not for me, plus I wouldn't want the extra anxiety or responsibility, and honestly, it takes a level of confidence I just don't have. I guess to answer your question, if you weren't open about your stutter (like me), you'd have to tackle that. Also you'd have to get very comfortable speaking to large audiences (200+) regularly, while portraying confidence, stuttering or not. I didn't mean 'work harder' as physically do more to prove your worth. If you meet leadership requirements and want to get into that role, it isn't too hard to do.