Welcome to the STAGE Community

Hey there, courageous communicator!

We're absolutely thrilled to welcome you to our corner of the internet where stumbles turn into strides and nervous jitters work their way into confident grins.

Whether you're here to conquer stage fright, refine your rhetorical flair, or connect more deeply with the people you care about, you've found your tribe!

Think of this space as your virtual podium, where you can strut your stuff, stumble over your words (it happens to the best of us!), and receive an outpouring of support and encouragement from your fellow communication skills enthusiasts.

Here, we embrace imperfection, celebrate progress, and turn every "um" into an opportunity to shine brighter. So, don your lucky speaking socks, grab a cup of courage, and get ready to dazzle us with your unique voice and style.

Remember, a rising tide lifts all boats. We’re all here to lift each other up, cheer each other on, and embark on this exhilarating journey of self-expression and growth together.

Get ready to speak your truth, embrace the spotlight, and make some magic happen!

With heartfelt applause and virtual high-fives,

Vinh, Dan, Alicia, & the entire STAGE team 🎤🌟

About the Community

Our Purpose

The STAGE Community is a collective of individuals committed to using communication skills to spread kindness, love, and compassion - and a little bit of fun and cheekiness.

We created this space for like-minded individuals with a common goal to come together to further their practice inside a positive, supportive environment. This is your #nonails sanctuary for honing communication skills.

We encourage you to engage with fellow Luminaries in lively discussions, give and receive feedback, learn from each other's diverse experiences, make friends, and watch yourself grow with every interaction.

We’re so grateful to have you join us on this next leg of your journey. Let your voice shine bright, and together, let's illuminate the world.

A Few Guidelines

To ensure everyone's experience here is enriching and positive, we've crafted the following guidelines:

We Encourage You to Share…

Questions: Have a burning question? Don't hesitate to ask! Your curiosity fuels our collective learning journey. The only dumb question is the one left unasked - because you’ll never learn the answer.

Wins: Share your triumphs, big or small! Whether you conquered a fear or delivered a stellar presentation, your victories inspire us.

Stumbles: Oops! We all make mistakes sometimes. If you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone - even if it didn’t go the way you expected it to - tell us about your experience to receive support, encouragement, or to simply to share the lesson you learned.

Responses to Challenges: We’re all here to get better, right? Vinh has created a series of challenges for you that provide a structure for you to continue to practice your communication skills. Posting your challenge videos in the group for feedback is the primary way for you to engage in the community AND hone your skills.

Requests for Feedback: Seeking input on your latest recording or just want to practice getting something out into the world? Feel free to post your video for us to watch. Just remember to specify if you’re looking for #feedback (constructive criticism and advice) or #applause (a virtual cheering section!).

We Also Encourage You To…

Welcome New Members: Remember how scary it is to walk into a big group of people you don’t know? Now imagine how it would feel if as soon as you walked in, a few of them came up to you with smiling faces and expressed how glad they were that you were there… That’s the kind of welcome we want to give our new members. If you see someone’s first post, leave a friendly comment!

Post What You Want to See: Want to see more wins in the group? Post your own or make a post asking others to share theirs. Want to see more recommendations for speakers or performances to watch? Post your own or make a post asking others to share theirs. You get the idea.

Provide Feedback: This community is founded on reciprocity, meaning our members aren’t here to take take take. When someone else posts a video, take a few minutes to watch and provide them with valuable feedback (if they have added a #feedback hashtag), instead of only posting your own videos without giving back. But when you reply to someone’s post, make sure you…

Respect What Others Request: Only offer constructive criticism or advice if someone posts their video with the #feedback hashtag, or if they specifically request feedback.

If someone posts a video and specifies they’re NOT looking for feedback…don’t give any. If someone requests a cheering section but doesn’t want any constructive criticism at that time…don’t give any. If someone posts about an issue they’re having but aren’t looking for advice…don’t give any. It’s that simple.

We Discourage You From…

Complaining: If you see something in the group that could be improved, of course we welcome your suggestions. However, speaking more broadly, complaints that don't offer solutions, take personal responsibility, or seek to improve the community's experience are discouraged. If you need to vent, there are lots of other spaces out there for you to do so. Here, let's focus on fostering a positive environment together!

Offering Unsolicited Criticism: We believe in lifting each other up, not tearing each other down. Please refrain from offering unsolicited criticism or negative comments.

Selling, Marketing, or Spamming: Yes, even the subtle kind. No one is here to be sold to. Please refrain from pitching (including soft pitches), posting links to your products or services (including affiliate links), and definitely do not use this space for promoting your MLM/network marketing business. We encourage you to include your website or social media links in your profile but please don’t spam the community asking for shares, likes, or follows.

Using Disrespectful Language: Treat all members with respect, kindness, and empathy. When offering suggestions, do so in a respectful manner. Personal attacks, derogatory language, or language construed as insulting or condescending will not be tolerated. Any form of harassment, bullying, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, religion, or any other characteristic is strictly prohibited.

A Few Friendly Reminders…

Specify Your Feedback Preferences: When requesting feedback, remember to specify if you're open to constructive criticism or advice by using the #feedback hashtag. If you’re not looking for feedback and only want to be cheered on for putting yourself out into the world…use the #applause hashtag.

Comment on the Performance, Not the Person: When providing feedback on someone else's video, focus on the performance rather than the individual. Offer insights and suggestions to enhance their skills, keeping comments constructive and respectful.

As Luminaries, we're united by our passion for communication mastery and our commitment to supporting each other's growth. Let's foster a culture of kindness, encouragement, and learning as we embark on this journey together.

Your voice matters, and your contributions make our community shine brighter. Thank you for bringing your best self to our luminous family!

Our Lingo

You might notice we use some unique language that you won’t typically find elsewhere on the web. Here’s what a few of our key words and phrases mean, and where they came from:

Luminary - Our STAGE Community members are known as #Luminaries. Hello, Luminary!

A #luminary is a person who inspires or influences others, often regarded as a leader or authority figure. But a luminary is also a source of light. And by sharpening your communication skills, and using your masterful voice for more kindness, love, and compassion - you’ll light up this world in a positive way.

No Nails - This is a “no nails” community, meaning you’re free to practice your communication skills and post videos for feedback without fear of criticism or disrespect because we have ALL agreed to make this a safe space for one another.

“No nails” refers to a magic trick where the magician places a nail inside one of several bags, then shuffles the bags. The magician invites a participant to choose a bag, then dramatically slams their own hand - or the participant’s hand - onto the chosen bag.

However, when Vinh demonstrates this trick, he secretly removes the nail so that even though the audience feels fear for his safety, he’s never in any danger. We have nothing to fear. There are #nonails

Break the Mould - The “mould” refers to the set of habitual behaviors that currently feel comfortable for you. For example, your default rate of speech (slow > fast), your default volume (quiet > loud), or even who you perceive yourself to be (shy, funny, stoic, bubbly).

But all of these behaviors and judgments…are only temporary. They’re not permanent.

When we say #breakthemould we’re encouraging you to step into that discomfort of playing with new parts of your voice. You will - and should! - feel a little bit silly at first. But growing into a bigger, better version of yourself requires you to acknowledge that feeling or sounding weird…is actually totally normal. So go ahead, break the mould!

Neutral Ears - You’re not the only one who has a “mould” for yourself (see above). The people you see all the time and who know you well have certain expectations for how you look, sound, and behave. If you try something new with your voice without preparing them first, they may feel shocked.

“What are you doing?!” your partner might ask as you arrive home one day, boldly turning your vocal volume up from a 3 to a 6. *cue hiding in the closet in shame*

But when you play around with your voice in front of people who don’t know you, there are no expectations. These folks are #neutralears and they’re perfect for practicing your communication skills in front of.

Mastery Cycle - The #masterycycle is Vinh’s 3-step formula for mastering communication skills (or anything else you try your hand at).

The three steps in the Mastery Cycle are:

1) Try & Apply

2) Review & Reflect

3) Plan & Improve

But really, these all work in a circle. After you Plan & Improve, you start a new revolution of the Mastery Cycle.

The real secret to mastery…is going through countless revolutions of the Mastery Cycle.

Who’s In Charge

The community manager and main moderator of the STAGE Community is Alicia Filia. If you have any questions or concerns, send her a DM or email her at: alicia@vinhgiang.com.

Or, you can get in touch with Dan, Head of Operations, at dan@vinhgiang.com.

Features

Here’s what you’ll find inside this community:

Resources: This is where you’ll find a few additional resources to guide you on your journey, including some recommended books as well as notable keynote speeches and other communication examples.

Access the Resources section by clicking on the “Start Here!” tab at the top of the page, then scrolling down to find the Resources link.

Circles: Circles are where the discussion happens. In our Communication Skills circle, you’ll find posts about - you guessed it - communication skills. If you’d like to post a video (that’s not a response to a weekly Challenge) to ask for feedback or support on your communication skills, add it here.

If you have a question that’s not about communication skills, you can ask in the Q&A circle. And the Hangout circle is where you’ll find the discussion that doesn’t fit into those two categories, like introductions.

Another circle you’ll see is our chat circle, Impromptu Practice Partners. This is a space where you can find other community members to engage in live practice with. Pinned to the top of the chat is a link to 24/7 practice rooms on Zoom. Simply enter the chat and see if anyone has entered a practice room recently, or choose a room and leave a message in the chat to let other Luminaries know where they can find you.

Main Feed: This is the place where ALL the discussion happens. When you enter the Main Feed, you’ll see posts from all 3 circles: Communication Skills, Q&A, and Hangout.

Access the Main Feed by clicking the “Main Feed” tab at the top of the page.

Challenges: Vinh has created a series of challenges for you that provide a structure for you to continue to practice your communication skills. Each week, we’ll feature a new challenge.

Live Practice Sessions: Our community calendar lists opportunities for you to hop onto a group Zoom and practice in a live #nonails environment. Join us for a few exercises, bring something you’ve prepared, practice speaking off the cuff, or work on your active listening.

View upcoming events and watch existing recordings by clicking on the “Events” tab at the top of the page.

Q&A’s: Join Vinh and Alicia for Q&A sessions to work through your questions, hesitations, and stumbling blocks on your path to communication mastery.

View upcoming events and watch existing recordings by clicking on the “Events” tab at the top of the page.

Manifesto

At the heart of the STAGE Community beats a vision of a world where voices resonate with kindness, love, and compassion.

We believe in the transformative power of communication - the art of connecting hearts, bridging gaps, and illuminating minds.

And we recognize that communication is not just a skill, it's a lifeline - a conduit through which we express our deepest truths, share our brightest ideas, and forge meaningful connections with others.

Therefore, we believe that mastering the art of communication is not only essential but empowering, both personally and professionally.

Our manifesto is a testament to our unwavering commitment to these beliefs:

1. Spread love. We believe in using our voices to spread positivity, love, kindness, and compassion. Every word we speak, every message we convey, carries the potential to uplift, inspire, and make a positive impact on the world around us.

2. Communication is the most important skill you can develop. Communication is the cornerstone of success in every aspect of life. From the boardroom to the bedroom, effective communication empowers us to lead, influence, and connect with others on a deeper level.

3. Communication is connection.

We exist because of our connections - finding meaning, purpose, love, learning, motivation, and much more - in the company of one another. And communication is more than just words; it's the lifeline of human connection.

4. Communication is a learnable skill.

We believe that communication is a skill - one that can be learned, honed, and refined over time. Through continuous practice, feedback, and self-reflection, we embrace the journey of growth and development as master communicators.

5. Lead by example.

As Luminaries, we lead by example, embodying the values of integrity, respect, and authenticity in our interactions. We recognize the power of our voices and the responsibility that comes with it - to inspire, empower, and uplift others.

We stand united in our mission to illuminate the world with our words, to forge connections that transcend boundaries, and to empower each other to unleash the full potential of our voices. Together, we are Luminaries - beacons of light, love, and limitless possibility.

Code of Conduct

The STAGE Community is a safe and supportive environment for individuals to further their communication skills. In this community, members can share without fear of judgment or criticism. To maintain a positive atmosphere founded on love, kindness, and compassion, we ask all members to adhere to the following guidelines:

Respect and Kindness. Treat all members with respect, kindness, and empathy. When offering suggestions, do so in a respectful manner. Personal attacks, derogatory language, or language construed as insulting or condescending will not be tolerated. Any form of harassment, bullying, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, religion, or any other characteristic is strictly prohibited.
No Nails. This is a #nonails zone. We encourage feedback and support that is specific and helpful, rather than criticism or negativity. When identifying areas for improvement, ensure that you focus on the performance, not the person.
Consent. Obtain consent before providing feedback on someone's video. If they haven’t specified they’re looking for commentary and haven’t used the #feedback tag, don’t provide any advice. Respect their boundaries and preferences regarding the type and extent of feedback they are comfortable receiving.
Confidentiality. Respect the privacy of others. Any videos and the content within them or discussion shared within this community should be considered confidential and not shared outside the group without explicit permission.
Personal Responsibility. Take ownership of your own learning journey. Show up, participate, and be open to receiving feedback from others.
Reciprocity. Actively engage with the community by providing feedback, asking questions, and sharing resources or experiences related to communication skills. Offer encouragement and support to fellow members. Celebrate their progress and successes, and offer assistance or advice when needed.
Moderator Intervention. In case of any concerns or violations of this code of conduct, please report the issue to Alicia, alicia@vinhgiang.com. She and the rest of the STAGE team are here to ensure that this community remains a safe and welcoming space for all members.

By joining this community, you agree to uphold these guidelines and contribute to creating a positive and supportive environment for everyone. Together, we can grow and develop our communication skills with confidence and mutual respect.

Next Actions

Now that you’ve read our Welcome Guide, what’s next?

Head on over to the “Main Feed” tab, and find the pinned “Welcome, Luminaries!” post. Read the instructions and make your first post!

Then, head back over to the “Challenges” tab, and check out this week’s challenge! 😀

WELCOME Fellow Luminary!