Rapport is a connection or relationship with someone else. It can be considered as a state of harmonious understanding with another individual or group. Building rapport is the process of developing that connection with someone else. Show
Sometimes rapport happens naturally. We have all had experiences where we ‘hit it off’ or ‘get on well’ with somebody else without having to try. This is often how friendships start. However, rapport can also be built and developed consciously by finding common ground, and being empathic. This page examines rapport and how it can be built, especially when meeting new people. Understanding Rapportrapport n. relation: connection: sympathy: emotional bond: spiritualist touch. Fr. Source: Chambers English Dictionary, 1989 edition. Rapport, therefore, is basically an emotional connection with other people. Building rapport is the process of establishing that connection. It is usually based on shared experiences or views, including a shared sense of humour. Building rapport tends to be most important at the start of an acquaintanceship or working relationship. The rapport created, however, can last for many years. Why Does Rapport Matter?Rapport is important in both our professional and personal lives. Employers are more likely to employ somebody who they believe will get on well with their current staff. Personal relationships are easier to make and develop when there is a closer connection and understanding between the parties involved – i.e. there is greater rapport. When we first meet someone new, we start to try to build rapport. Like it or not, this is why small talk exists: it is a way to try to find things in common with other people and build that shared bond. This bond is important because we all have a tendency to want to be with ‘people like us’. It is much easier to build rapport with someone who is very like you, or who shares a lot of your interests. You have shared ground, and things to talk about. You also have a shared frame of reference. This makes both building a relationship, and communicating more generally, much easier. However, we have probably all found ourselves thinking: “He/she is lovely, I’m sure, but we really have nothing in common.” Under those circumstances, working together is likely to be harder, and communication more difficult, because you lack a shared frame of reference. You will need to work harder to build rapport and develop your relationship - but this is still possible. Break the IceFor many, starting a conversation with a stranger is a stressful event. We may be lost for words, and awkward with our body language and mannerisms. Creating rapport at the beginning of a conversation with somebody new will often make the outcome of the conversation more positive. However stressful and/or nervous you may feel, the first thing you need to do is to try to relax and remain calm. By decreasing the tension in the situation communication becomes easier and rapport grows. When you meet somebody for the first time, there are some easy things that you can do to reduce the tension. This will help both of you to feel more relaxed and communicate more effectively. These include:
Make sure the other person feels included but not interrogated during initial conversations. Just as you may feel tense and uneasy meeting and talking to somebody new, so may they. Put the other person at their ease. This will enable you to relax and conversation to become more natural. See our page Conversational Skills for more information. Non-Verbal Rapport BuildingInitial conversations can help us to relax. However, quite a lot of rapport-building happens without words and through non-verbal communication channels. We create and maintain rapport subconsciously through matching non-verbal signals, including body positioning, body movements, eye contact, facial expressions and tone of voice with the other person. Watch two friends talking when you get the opportunity and see how they sub-consciously mimic each other’s non-verbal communication. We create rapport instinctively. It is our natural defence from conflict, which most of us will try hard to avoid most of the time. It is important to use appropriate body language. We read and instantly believe what body language tells us, whereas we may take more persuading with vocal communication. If there is a mismatch between what we are saying and our body language, then the person we are with will believe the body language. Building rapport, therefore, begins with displaying appropriate body language. This usually means being welcoming, relaxed and open. As well as paying attention to and matching body language with the person we are with, it also helps to match their words. Reflecting back and clarifying what has been said are useful tactics for repeating what has been communicated by the other person. Not only will it confirm that you are listening but also give you opportunity to use the words and phases of the other person, further emphasising similarity and common ground. (See Reflecting and Clarifying for more information) The way we use our voice is also important in developing rapport. When we are nervous or tense, we tend to talk more quickly. This in turn can make you sound more stressed. We tend to vary our voices, pitch, volume and pace to make what we are saying more interesting, but it also has an effect on how we come across. Try lowering your tone and talk more slowly and softly. This will actually help you develop rapport more easily. See our page on Effective Speaking for more information on how your voice can be used to aid communication. Helpful Rapport Building BehavioursThere are certain behaviours that are particularly helpful in building rapport. These include:
Further Reading from Skills You Need Our Communication Skills eBooks Learn more about the key communication skills you need to be an effective communicator. Our eBooks are ideal for anyone who wants to learn about or develop their communication skills, and are full of easy-to-follow practical information and exercises. An Essential SkillDeveloping rapport is an essential part of every relationship. Without rapport, you would basically not have a relationship at all! Being able to build rapport consciously is therefore extremely useful both personally and professionally. As a skill, it means that you can build relationships faster, and improve communication more rapidly. Your working relationships will be more effective, and your personal relationships will be stronger as a result. Is a dialogue used to enhance relationships show civility and build rapport?Dialogue used to enhance relationships, show civility, and build rapport. The practice of a message receiver giving back in his or her own words what he believes a sender said. The silent bond built between two people as a result of sharing of common interests and issues and demonstration of a win-win, I care attitude.
Is the response to a sender's message that allows both the sender?This response of a receiver to sender's message is called Feedback. Sometimes a feedback could be a non-verbal smiles, sighs etc. Sometimes it is oral, as when you react to a colleague's ideas with questions or comments. Feedback can also be written like - replying to an e-mail, etc.
What is the term used to describe the method through which people communicate messages?Interpersonal communication is the process by which people exchange information, feelings, and meaning through verbal and non-verbal messages: it is face-to-face communication.
Which of the following is an example of non assertive behavior?Non-Assertive Body Language: Lack of eye contact; looking down or away/ • Swaying and shifting of weight from one foot to the other. Whining and hesitancy when speaking.
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