The Magic Trick to Gaining Influence

Vinh Giang, keynote speaker at last month’s ISACA Conference Europe, was able to convince his parents that not only should he quit university, but that they should invest in his dream: teaching magic online. This was one trick he was able to pull off; several years and several awards for his entrepreneurship later, Vinh not only teaches sleight-of-hand but reveals the real trick: your communication style is what motivates others. His keynote presentation offered practical advice on how to use your speaking skills to empower yourself and gain a leadership posture.

He recommends conducting a self-awareness exercise: simply record a five-minute video of yourself speaking (the topic is not important). After you record your video, review it three times: first, just listen; then do a visual review to see how you move and use your hands; and then transcribe the video and highlight the filler words you need to remove. Vinh shared an amusing story about how he learned to stop using “umm” and “okay” to pause and fill time while speaking; his theater coach blew an air horn at him every time he used an unnecessary word, instead of pausing silently. “You have to be dramatic about it, and it cured me, I kid you not, in one session,” he said. “It really heightens your awareness, and you’ll stop.”

Vinh advises you focus on your vocal foundations: the rate, volume, pitch and melody, tonality (the emotion in your voice), and your ability to pause to allow the listener to consider your insights. “Be sure to vary how quickly or slowly you speak. If what you’re saying is important, slow down; you can speed up if it isn’t.” He also warned, “Just being loud isn’t helpful. You can draw people in with a softer voice.”

While these tips are helpful for in-person meetings and presentations, being able to make an impact in an online meeting requires careful attention. Watch your volume and energy, he warned. Be engaged and look at the webcam to connect with others.

“You have the expertise to make massive change,” Vinh said. “Technical brilliance will change the world and communication skills will amplify your influence.”