3 ways to successfully build rapport

What’s better than building relationships with people? Having rapport with someone.

A quality communication skills training course will tell you that rapport is a crucial component within any business relationship.

The ability for managers to establish a sense of unity within the workplace is essential to the day-to-day tasks they are expected to accomplish. Be it employees or customers, building strong positive relationships can both boost productivity and increase revenue.

As a manager, one of your key tasks is relationship management. Here are three steps to use when building rapport.

1. Full-mutual attention 

According to Daniel Goleman, psychologist and author of international best-seller “Emotional Intelligence”, developing rapport starts by giving your full attention.

This involves listening more than speaking. When you do begin to talk, speak directly to them. Rather than seeing him or her solely as a customer or employee, think about him or her as an individual.

Here is a tip: if your feet are not pointing directly at the individual, then you are not giving him or her your undivided attention.

2. Use a time limit

During a recent TIME article, Robin Dreeke, founder of People Formula and a veteran of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program, argued that the first step in building rapport is setting up artificial time constraints.

As no one wants to feel trapped in a conversation, putting a limit on it can remove the discomfort and increase the level of satisfaction the individual will experience. For instance, when starting a conversation, open with, “I was hoping for a quick word before I head off”.

3. Put a smile on that dial

Smiling is an excellent way to look non-threatening and increase the chances of building rapport with people.

According to the same TIME article, Dale Carnegie, author of “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, wrote that smiling is much more noticeable than signs of anger.

Smiling is a great technique to reduce the discomfort others might feel during conversations.

Rapport is an essential component in business, and as a manager or leader, it is up to you to develop it. Engaging with quality management and leadership training courses is an excellent way to hone your ability.