Rapportunities - The Art of Building Rapport
In this episode, Jody and Meghan discuss how to build rapport with another person, whether that is at a social networking event or it is over time through continuous interaction. Building rapport is about understanding and connecting with another person through a close and harmonious relationship.
There are five key principles that help a person build rapport:
- Empathy - the ability to understand and share feelings with another person
- Authenticity - being genuine; being who you say you are
- Similarities - finding a common ground; building a bridge between individuals
- Shared Experiences - experiences shape individuals, and shared experiences create a sense of connection
- Physical Presence - the manner in which we present ourselves; paralanguage
Seeking to understand others before you seek to be understood allows for greater depth of both conversations and interactions. You want to be present in the moment, show a genuine interest in the other person, make eye contact, practice active listening, and be very intentional about the interaction.
When you enter into a conversation, you want to appear open and confident. Shake the other person’s hand, introduce yourself, and repeat their name back to them when they introduce themselves, like, “Meghan! It’s a pleasure to meet you, Meghan.” This reinforces your memory of their name, and it is hypnotic to use their name in the conversation. Be present and intentional with your words and actions.
Thanks for tuning in, and please feel free to drop any leadership or management topic suggestions in the comments. Become the kind of leader you would follow!
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