Brief Summary
This video explores the power of voice and communication, offering practical advice on how to improve vocal delivery, manage nerves, and build confidence. Vinh Giang emphasises that your voice is an instrument that can be trained and mastered.
- Your voice is a series of behaviours that can be changed.
- Five vocal foundations of brilliant communication: rate of speech, volume, pitch, tonality and pausing.
- Overcoming nerves involves managing both the body and the mindset.
- Confidence is built through improvisation and embracing unfamiliar vocal keys.
Your voice is just a series of behaviours
The way you speak is a series of behaviours that can be changed. You're not trapped in your voice; you can alter your mouth movements, airflow, and articulation to sound different. Some people are too attached to their voice and never change it, which is a shame because everyone has a beautiful instrument that they haven't realised the power of.
5 vocal foundations of brilliant communication
There are five core foundations of brilliant communication. The first is the rate of speech, which should be modulated to avoid boring the listener. Varying your rate of speech, speaking quickly to show passion and slowing down to emphasise important points, can make your speech more engaging. The second is volume, which shows confidence and authority. Speaking at an appropriate volume, around a level five on a scale of one to ten, can significantly impact how others perceive your confidence and energy.
Pitch, the third foundation, adds melody to your speech, making it more memorable. Most people use only a couple of notes when they speak, but using a wider range of notes, like playing all 88 keys on a piano, can make your voice more engaging. Tonality, the fourth foundation, is the emotion that lives underneath your words, controlled by your body language and facial expressions. Showing a range of emotions, such as happiness, sadness, disgust, fear, anger, and surprise, is essential for effective communication.
The fifth foundation is pausing, which gives the listener time to comprehend what you're saying and allows you time to process and listen. These five elements are modulated by any great speaker.
HOT SEAT Communication Coaching
When presenting ideas, it's important to structure them properly to avoid rambling and appearing unsure. Using frameworks like the 321 approach can be very helpful. For example, when asked about your area of expertise, provide three concise points. Focus on delivery by using hand gestures, increasing volume, and ending sentences on a lower pitch. Pausing more and holding eye contact with the camera, symbolising another person, can also enhance your communication.
How to improve your accent
To improve your accent, record a 20-minute video of yourself speaking to the camera and send it to a speech pathologist. Ask them to identify the words you're pronouncing incorrectly and help you learn the correct mouth movements. Also, send the same video to an English as a second language (ESL) teacher to identify grammatical errors. Focus on practicing one thing at a time to avoid analysis paralysis.
The most important thing in a job interview
The most important thing in a job interview is forming a connection. People do business with people they like, so building rapport is crucial. Prepare for common questions like "Tell me about yourself" by sharing a story that links to the role. For example, share a personal anecdote that demonstrates your entrepreneurial spirit and passion for sales. Investing time in building connection and rapport allows you to be favoured, even if you are not the most qualified candidate.
Why you need to focus on your vocal image
In the professional space, people often focus on their visual image but neglect their vocal image. You create an image vocally when you use your voice. Building rapport and trust requires mastering your voice. Train your voice to connect more with the people you serve, because only when you connect with people do you deserve to influence their decisions.
Emulate your favourite speakers
To become a great communicator, emulate speakers you admire. Copy their techniques and methods, just as a chef copies recipes from great chefs. Imitation is a great way to learn, build confidence, and develop your own unique style. It's okay to imitate, but it's not okay to imitate forever without adding your own flavour.
How to deal with nerves before you present
To deal with nerves before presenting, manage both your body and your mindset. From a body standpoint, practice breathing exercises like the Wim Hof method to relax your body and mind. Also, get rid of excess adrenaline by going for a quick walk or doing some exercises like star jumps or push-ups.
From a mindset standpoint, shift your focus from yourself to the audience. Remember that it's not about you; it's about providing value to the audience. The more you get out of your own head and into the audience, the less self-conscious you'll be, and the better you'll feel.
Start seeing your voice as an instrument
See your voice as an instrument with 88 keys, like a piano. During communication training, you'll be pushed to use keys that feel unfamiliar. When your brain goes to "fake and phony," reframe it as "unfamiliar." This allows you to explore your full vocal range and improve your communication skills.
The secret to building your confidence
The secret to building confidence is improv. Improv classes can improve your improvisation skills, which in turn enhance your conversation skills. The better you get at improvisation, the more confident you become in conversations, because any conversation is just a game of improv.
Why you need to speak louder
Most people need more volume in their voice. If you play a smaller version of yourself, you'll attract fewer opportunities. Learn how to use your voice to amplify the best parts of who you are. When practicing, find neutral ears, people who have no preconceived idea of who you are, to avoid the flinch from friends and family who are used to your quieter voice. Remember that fear is just an illusion. There are no nails when you try to use your voice differently. Master your voice, and it will change the way you connect with those you lead and love.
