Rapport is defined as building a trusting and understanding relationship with another person. Rapport is the ability to connect with another person and build an understanding of their personality and views. Building a good rapport is the key to successful interaction with other people and can be utilized in everyday meetings and is essential in a variety of professions. Listed below are some practical tips to help you build rapport with another person: 1. Mirror non-verbal communication and communication style:
We communicate with other people in much more than words, as the majority of our communication is non-verbal. Non-verbal communication includes things such as; facial expressions, gestures, posture and eye contact. By mirroring or copying the non verbal actions of another person, such as matching their body posture, individuals become more receptive toward you. By additionally matching the individuals communication style, such as the pace and tone in which they speak, you can further enhances your relationship with that person. For instance, if they talk slowly and softly, match your own voice to sound soft and slow down how quickly you speak. 2. Use active listening skills: To successfully build rapport it is important to listen, not just hear what the person is saying. Whenever we talk to someone we give off subtle cues that indicate to others that we are paying attention and understanding what they are talking about. By putting effort into listening with interest we can build positive feelings and trust with others. Remember the focus is not on you, it is on the other person. You can actively show your interest by responding to what the person is saying verbally by saying things such as, “yes”, “I see” or “mmm”. You can also say things such as “please continue” or “tell me more” to show that you are actively paying attention. You can also reflect on what the person has said to you in your own words. For instance, if someone is explaining their difficulties with friends, you could reflect by saying “It sounds like you struggling with your friendships at the moment.” It is important not to exactly copy what they have said. You can also show your interest non-verbally by maintaining eye contact and by nodding your head while they speak. Try not to fidget or move around excessively as this communicates to the other person that you are not paying attention or that you are distracted. 3. Be empathic and non-judgemental: The key to building a good rapport with someone is to be respectful and empathic towards them. Empathy is the ability to “put yourself in another person’s shoes”, this means you can relate to what the other person is feeling or experiencing. Even if you disagree with what they are saying, it is important to convey that you understand what they are saying or feeling. However, this does not mean that you agree with what they are saying or that you feel sorry for them. You can convey that you are empathic towards someone by using the active listening skills listed above.
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