Rapport is your connection with another person or group of persons. It can happen instantly or it may take a little bit of time before you rapport develops between you and the other party.
However which way it happens, rapport is important in building relationships whether it’s a business relationship, work relationship with your bosses and colleagues, or personal relationships.
This being said, it is essential that you know how to build rapport with other people. It takes a few general steps but if you follow these through, the results can be pretty amazing – not to mention beneficial to all concerned.
How to Build Rapport
Communicate. Communication is the most important step in building a good rapport with someone. Break this down and you may have already lost what could have been an excellent opportunity to start a new friendship or a business partnership.
Communication alone entails quite a few things that you may need to do altogether or at least a couple in order to build rapport with someone.
1. Talk their talk. During the first few seconds of your conversation, try to find out how the other person talks. Too fast, too slow or just moderate? Matching the way they talk will already break down a few walls between the two of you.
2. Keep it light and simple. You do not want to overwhelm the other person with how you see the current state of the economy or bombard them with your opinions on global warming – unless you are attending a summit that discusses these topics.
Find a middle-ground where you can exchange light banters, at least for the first few minutes of your meeting. Perhaps you can say something funny but not offensive.
3. Listen. Listening is different from hearing. You may hear what the other person is saying but you are not paying attention to what they are actually saying.
Letting the other person know that you are interested in what they’re saying will instantly tell them that you care enough to listen to them – which is a good start in building good rapport.
You may nod your head in agreement once in awhile or repeat a word or two that they said once they’ve finished talking. This will underscore the fact that you are listening and are being attentive.
4. Smile. A warm smile can open doors. Smiling every now and then as you agree to what the other person is saying is an excellent way to break down the ice. Laugh with the other person too, when they make a joke.
These four simple steps can get you started on building rapport with someone.
