Vinh Giang

Growing up, I had to work with a speech pathologist to learn how to pronounce words correctly.

And let me tell you, as an Aussie, that’s no easy feat as we’re not exactly known for our crystal-clear articulation. (if y’know whadimean mate?)

I still remember when I first visited the USA, people genuinely couldn’t understand what I was saying which made me realize that if I wanted to connect, I had to get serious about how I spoke.

The Simple Trick To Speak More Articulately 

If you want to sound more articulate, it starts with overdoing your mouth movements.

I know that sounds strange and might even feel a bit theatrical at first, but when you exaggerate how you move your mouth, you’ll begin to pronounce each syllable with much more clarity.  

That’s the key to crisp, confident speech.

Try this for five minutes a day. 

Grab a book and read it out loud. But as you read, over-pronounce every single word (don’t be afraid to feel ridiculous). You’re not trying to sound British, you’re simply training your vocal muscle.

And if someone tells you you’re trying too hard, just smile and keep going. 😊

Articulation is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with deliberate practice.

Vocal Energy Changes Everything

A big part of sounding articulate is vocal energy.

I often see people trail off or mumble because their energy drops mid-sentence. Their voice fades, the presence disappears and suddenly whatever they’re saying loses impact.

Here’s a simple exercise to change that; 

Count from 1 to 10. But say each number with the exact same level of energy. From the first number to the last, stay consistent. Don’t trail off.

This simple exercise can help you to build vocal control. 

And, when you combine that kind of vocal energy with intentional annunciation, your voice becomes stronger, clearer, and far more engaging!

How to Sound Less Nasally

Sounding ‘nasally’ is a result of your voice getting trapped in the nose. But often, what we think is nasality is actually a lack of vocal energy or lazy articulation.

If you energise your speech and project from your chest, that nasal tone starts to disappear on its own. 

You don’t need to force a deep voice, you just need to speak with intention and resonance.

Key Takeaway

Pronouncing your words with crisp articulation is as simple as training your facial muscles to actively pronounce each syllable, and maintaining a consistent level of vocal energy. 

Consistent vocal exercise can dramatically transform the clarity of your everyday speech. When I personally committed to the exercises I’ve outlined below, the quality of my voice completely changed in just a few months! 

If you’re serious about wanting to speak more confidently and clearly let me walk you through three powerful exercises I still use myself to this day.

Vocal Exercise 1: Over-Articulate with a Book

The biggest issue most people face is mumbling. It happens because you’re not moving your mouth enough (in other words, you’re being lazy with your lips and tongue.)

Here’s what to do.

Grab any book. Set a timer for 3 to 4 minutes. Read the passage out loud, but this time, overdo your mouth movements. Stretch your lips. Use your tongue. Over ex-ag-ger-ate every syllable.

It will feel weird but that’s exactly why it works.

When you over-articulate during practice, your daily speech becomes clearer and more deliberate. The muscles in your face, lips, and tongue get stronger allowing you to shape the sound of your voice and speak with clarity in your everyday speech. 

Vocal Exercise 2: Get “Volume for Free” with the Soft Palate

A lot of students tell me, “Vinh, every time I try to speak louder, I lose my voice.” That’s because they’re pushing volume from their throat.

Volume should never feel forced and you shouldn’t have to strain to project your voice.

To fix this, you need to understand something called the soft palate. It’s the part of your mouth behind the hard ridge behind your upper teeth (slide your thumb along the roof of your mouth you’ll feel it).

When you keep the soft palate open, your voice resonates properly. You get more volume without working harder. I call this volume for free.

Try this:

1. Start by making a yawning type sound. Feel that lift in the back of your mouth? That’s your soft palate rising.
2. Now say “ahhhhhhhhhh” as if you’re yawning while speaking. You’ll notice it sounds open, rich, and resonant.
3. Do it ten times. Just “yawn… ahhh.” You’ll feel the difference.

The more aware you become of the soft palate, the easier it is to control your vocal power and volume. You’ll stop speaking from your throat, and start speaking from your whole body.

Vocal Exercise 3: Lip Trills for Breath Control

This one’s simple, but it builds incredible breath awareness.

Take a deep breath in and do a lip trill (like a vibrating horse sound) for as long as you can. Hold one pitch. Go until you run out of air.

Once that becomes easy, try doing it to music. Choose your favourite song and trill along to the melody.

This exercise relaxes your vocal cords, improves breath control, and gets your voice warmed up fast. It’s also a fun way to discover where your breath needs work.

Key Takeaway

When your soft palate is open, your lips are active, and your breath is controlled, your voice becomes more than just sound. It becomes a tool of influence.

You’re no longer whispering words into the wind, you’re speaking with confidence and clarity from a place of control, energy, and confidence.

I used to struggle with small talk. I’d meet someone new, start chatting, and then… silence. An awkward, heavy silence. The conversation would die and I’d walk away feeling like I failed some invisible social test.

If you’ve ever felt unsure what to say next or afraid you might say the wrong thing, don’t worry you’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions I get asked.

Let’s break it down together, because small talk doesn’t have to feel forced or fake. In fact, it can be one of the best ways to build a real connection with someone. You simply just need a new mindset and a few tools in your pocket.

Reframe What Small Talk Is

Most people think they need to sound clever or interesting when meeting someone new (this used to be me too).

But here’s the truth: the best way to connect with someone isn’t by trying to impress them, it’s by showing that you’re interested in them.

That shift changes everything. When you focus on being curious instead of clever, small talk becomes easier and far more enjoyable.

Ask Better Questions

If you want to get better at small talk, stop relying on “How’s your day going?”. It’s fine to start with that, but you’ve got to be ready to follow up with something more open and engaging (or be prepared to endure the awkward silence if they simple respond with “good“.)

One of my personal go-to lines is: “What’s the most exciting thing you’ve got planned for today?”

It’s not weird, it’s intentional. It opens the door for someone to share something real. 

When you have a few good questions ready, you find you won’t freeze up but rather be able to guide the conversation.

Go Deeper (When It Feels Right)

Once some connection is made, you can explore deeper questions. These aren’t for the elevator, but they work beautifully in friendly, casual settings.

One I love asking is: “If you had to name the most important lesson you’ve learned in the last 12 months, what would it be?”

This kind of question creates space for honesty. It also helps you stand out from the typical small talk cycle that most people get stuck in.

Give Yourself Permission to Be Weird

Not everyone will love your questions and that’s okay!

Some people might think you’re a little quirky for being curious. That used to hold me back. But I realised – I’m probably not going to see this person again, so why not practice?

When you stop fearing awkwardness and start treating conversations as experiments, you get better. fast.

Remember, you don’t need to be perfect, you just need to show up with curiosity and the courage to keep going.

Key Takeaway

People love talking about themselves, so mastering small talk can be as simple as having a few good questions up your sleeve, showing genuine interest and not being afraid of their judgement.

Picture this.

You’re at a networking function trying to connect with someone new,  but instead of a smooth conversation, you find yourselves talking at each other, not with each other. It feels disconnected, awkward and almost like trying to have a conversation over Zoom with a terribly slow internet connection.  

If you’ve been there yourself, I want to share something that can completely transform how you communicate when meeting new people. 

It’s a simple framework I teach in all my workshops called ‘Match, Mirror, and Lead’ (MML) which, if used correctly, will help you to build rapport without absolutely anyone. Fast. 🚀

The Misconception That Holds People Back

A lot of people think, “To be a great communicator, I just need to be myself. One version of me. All the time.”

But communication doesn’t work like that.

Imagine bringing a megaphone 📢 to a whispering competition. It doesn’t matter how good your message is, it simply won’t land. Great communication is about adapting to the moment without losing your authenticity.

You’re not being fake. You’re being flexible.

Step 1: Match and Mirror

Let me give you an example.

At my live events, I often meet students who are quite introverted. If someone comes up to me and says softly, “Hi Vinh, I just wanted to say thank you,” I don’t respond with over-the-top enthusiasm and a booming voice. 

If I did, they’d probably freak out and call the police.

Instead, I match and mirror their vocal foundations, their body language and their tone. I lower my voice, slow my rhythm and what happens is incredible. They relax. They feel safe. They feel seen.

That’s rapport.

It’s about meeting people on their communication style level so they don’t feel overwhelmed or out of sync with you.

Step 2: Lead Gently

Now here’s the magic part…

Once you’ve matched someone’s energy, you can start to lead rather than force the conversation where you want it to go.

For example, if someone speaks at a 4 out of 10 energy level, you should also start at 4. Then slowly move to a 5, maybe a 6. That gentle increase helps them come along with you, without resistance. 

This is the real skill in building rapport – learning how to read what level someone is at, then adjusting your communication style to match. From there you can slowly lead them in the direction you want the conversation to go.

Bonus Framework: Identifying What People Actually Want From You

When someone is talking to you, they’re usually looking for one of four things:

1. Information: These conversations are direct and to the point. Match that with clear, factual responses.
   
2. Connection: Here, you’ll hear more emotion in their tone. They’re not just asking a question, they’re seeking warmth. Match that emotional energy.
   
3. Peace and harmony: Some people are conflict-avoidant and want calm energy. If you come in too strong, you’ll scare them off. Tread lightly and speak with softness.
   
4. Fun: These people tease, play, and joke. Lean into it.

If you can spot what someone values most in a conversation whether it’s information, connection, harmony, or fun – you can then tailor your delivery to match.

That’s how you speak their language (without changing your message) and build instant rapport.

I still remember one of my first professional speaking gigs at a Building Association event in Sydney. I walked on stage wearing a black shirt and black pants, not because I thought it looked sharp, but because I was sweating like I was in a sauna. 🥵

I finished the talk, walked off stage, and the CEO (this very serious-looking gentleman) shook my hand loosely and said, “Vinh… have you done this before?”

Even now, I still get the heebi-jeebies thinking about that moment…

Back then, I had no idea how to calm my nerves and just assumed this kind of fear was part of the deal. But here’s what I know now:

You can absolutely learn to manage your public speaking anxiety!

If you’re wondering how to calm your nerves when presenting, whether it’s a wedding speech, a work presentation, or something even bigger – these five tools changed everything for me;

1. Control Your Body Before It Controls You

Your voice doesn’t tremble on its own. It follows your body. When your hands are shaking, your voice will too.

I’ll prove it to you.

Hold your hand out in front of you. Now squeeze it into a tight fist.

Feel that shake? That’s tension. And tension creates instability.

Here’s how to fix it:
I use something called box breathing. It’s used by Navy SEALs and elite athletes before high-pressure moments.

Try this with me:

• Inhale for 4 counts
  
• Hold your breath for 4 counts
  
• Exhale for 4 counts
  
• Hold for 4 counts
  

Repeat this a few times before you speak in public. It tells your nervous system you’re safe. When your body relaxes, your voice follows.

2. Remember It’s Not About You, It’s About Them

One of the fastest ways to spiral is to make it all about yourself.

• What if I mess up?
• What if they notice I’m nervous?
• What if I forget what to say?
  

Let me be blunt, that mindset is a trap! I used to walk into every talk thinking only about me, and it showed.

Now I ask myself something different:

“How can I serve the people in front of me?”

Shift your focus away from yourself and place it on the audience. When you truly want to help others, fear gives way to purpose.

3. Speak Slower

When you’re nervous, you want to get it over with. So you speed up. But the faster you speak, the more your body panics causing your thoughts to race and you to stumble over your words. 

The fix is simple: Pause. Breathe. Speak slower.

You won’t sound unsure, you’ll sound intentional, deliberate and worth listening to.

Speaking slowly helps you stay calm and makes your message clearer. It’s one of the easiest ways to regain control in the moment.

4. How to Calm Your Nerves Before Presenting

That rush of adrenaline before you speak? Totally normal.

But you’ve got to move your body to manage it. Otherwise, it builds up and creates that jittery, restless feeling that steals your presence.

Here’s what I do to calm down before a presentation:

• 10 push-ups backstage
• A quick walk
• Even just pacing and shaking out the tension
  

You don’t need to go full Rocky Balboa, just burn off enough energy so you don’t feel like a shaken up bottle of Coke right before stepping on stage.

5. Speak in Public More Often (Even When It’s Scary)

The fear of public speaking shrinks every time you face it.

Try starting small. If giving a toast in front of 10 people is too much, start with 3.

At your next dinner with friends, say something like, “Hey, I want to make a toast.”

Now you’re stepping into the role of speaker (albeit just for 30 seconds). Then next time, try doing it standing up. Yes, it might feel awkward, but remember awkwardness is just growth in disguise.

Want to level it up? During your next Zoom meeting, stand while you speak. Tell your team, “Hey, I’ve been sitting all day, mind if I stand while I share this?” Then deliver your piece.

Every time you do this, you’re desensitising yourself to your fear of public speaking. You’re showing your brain there’s nothing to be afraid of.

Key Takeaways

Just remember, to overcome your fear of speaking in public; 

1. Calm your nervous system using the box breathing method, 
2. Focus on the audience, not yourself 
3. Slow your rate of speech 
4. Release some adrenalin by burning off some energy
5. Desensitise yourself through practice 

In this video I’m sharing my top 10 most powerful communication tips!

0:00– Understand your vocal image
3:01 – Your voice is an instrument
4:06 – The 5 vocal foundations of great communication
13:13 – Why you don’t like the sound of your voice
17:30 – If you speak too slow… watch this
23:46 – 3 ways to reduce nerves in public speaking
26:45 – 3 tips to make online presenting more engaging
30:47 – How to be witty and humorous
43:54 – How to develop your communication style
47:23 – How to break out of your mould
51:22 – The simple process to quickly improve your communication