We all know that building rapport with colleagues, clients, and partners is essential for success. But how can you establish a solid connection without channeling your inner Shakespeare or deploying an arsenal of dad jokes? I’ve got the secret sauce to help you forge strong relationships in the world of business.
The Art of Active Listening: A Symphony for the Ears
1. Active listening is the rock star of communication skills. It involves paying full attention to the speaker (sans phone, email, or that pesky squirrel outside the window) and truly understanding their point of view. Make eye contact, nod in agreement, and ask questions that show you’re tuned into their frequency. With active listening, you’ll be able to decode the hidden messages and emotions that lie beneath the surface.
Mirroring and Matching: The Dance of Subtlety
2. Have you ever noticed how people in sync tend to mimic each other’s gestures, tone, and speech patterns? Well, that’s mirroring and matching! When done right, it creates an atmosphere of familiarity and comfort. But beware, overdoing it can turn you into a creepy mime. Observe your conversation partner and subtly adapt your behavior to match theirs. Remember, it’s a delicate dance, not a full-blown tango.
Finding Common Ground: The Treasure Hunt of Connection
3. Hunting for common ground is like searching for buried treasure – once you find it, you’ve struck gold! Ask open-ended questions to unearth shared interests or experiences, and then use these gems to create a connection that goes beyond mere small talk. So, whether you’re both obsessed with artisanal coffee or have a shared love of skydiving, let the common ground be your map to a deeper connection. At the end of the day everyone craves being appreicated.
Using Positive Language: The Sunshine of Communication
4. Who doesn’t love a bit of sunshine on a cloudy day? Well, using positive language in your conversations is like bringing your own sunshine to the table. Choose words that are supportive and uplifting, and pair them with affirmative body language. Smiles and eye contact are like rays of sunshine that can brighten up any conversation.
Empathy and Validation: The Warm Hug of Understanding
5. Empathy and validation are the comfort food of rapport building. By putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and acknowledging their emotions, you create a space where they feel heard and understood. So, offer a verbal hug by saying things like, “I can see how that must have been difficult,” or “I completely understand where you’re coming from.” But remember, I said “verbal” 🙂
Being Genuine and Authentic: The Unshakable Pillars of Trust
6. In a world full of filters and facades, being genuine and authentic is a breath of fresh air. So, be yourself, share your thoughts and feelings honestly, and be open to other perspectives. Trust us, your authenticity will be a magnet for trust and credibility. There are four more pillars we can discuss later, but just so you know, they are likeability, credibility, rapport, and respect.
And there you have it – the secrets to cracking the rapport code!
Incorporate these techniques into your conversations and watch as you build bridges of trust and understanding in the business world. So, go forth and conquer the art of rapport building, and remember: it’s not about impressing others, but rather connecting with them on a deeper level.
Almost every “Professional Speaker” on the planet claims they’re number one in whatever topics they speak on. It’s not how many books you’ve written that matters, but rather what best practices you can transfer to the audience, based on a proven track record.
This is where Brian Parsley isn’t your ordinary presenter. He began his career selling door to door over 30 years ago. Since then he’s been a serial entrepreneur, building three highly successful organizations and selling two over the past two decades.
Brian is currently a managing partner in the global consulting firm, The Constance Group. His work has given him the opportunity to share his methodology and allowed him to use his gifts of teaching and speaking on an international platform on topics of sales optimization, building loyal customers, and leadership strategies that drive profits.
He teaches behavioral science around why people do what they do and how to manipulate challenging scenarios with good intent. His messages are powerful but filled with humor and stories so they resonate and can be recalled.
Fun fact, Brian has close to one million followers on TikTok doing fun pranks. He may be in his 50’s, but he’ll never lose his sense of humor.
