Management Information

Build Rapport Fast! - Eight Easy Steps


Building rapport is all about creating a relationship, in the moment. And this is vital in business, education, friendships and many other areas of life. We need relationships to help us get the things we want for ourselves in our lives, like money, promotions, success, partners and above all to feel part of society. You see we are social animals, us humans and if we find it challenging to make relationships, then we feel excluded. And that ain't comfortable.

So, let's build rapport quickly and easily in the just eight easy steps!

  • Pay Attention
    Now some will say that you must make continued eye contact, but, you know, some folks find that invasive and threatening. So match what they do, if they look at you, look at them. But whatever you do, ensure that you give an appropriate level of attention to them. In Dale Carnegie's wonderful book, 'How to Win Friends & Influence People', he tells a story of how he sat next to someone at dinner one evening. All night his fellow guest talked; all night Carnegie listened. A few weeks later, he was amazed to hear from a mutual friend how interesting his dinner companion had found him - even though Carnegie said virtually nothing all evening!

  • Value Them
    ..which leads us to how you relate to them. If someone is talking to you about something, make sure you show you value what they are saying, by asking them at least one additional openquestion about what they are talking to you about. Remember these? The 4 W's of HoW (yea, I know!), What, Where or Who - perhaps not Why, which can be seen as a challenge at the start of a relationship. 4 easy, helpful, interested open question types.

  • Be Like Them
    By matching physically, you will make a far greater impression. So, if they are standing, stand, leaning forward, lean forward. Ever spoken to a child? What did you do - you crouched down, didn't you. Why? Because you felt more able to communicate. It works well for big people too!

  • Follow Up
    How often have you discussed something and then it hasn't been followed through afterwards. Promises not kept. And how did that leave your relationship with that person? Not good eh? Following through on what you promise is not just good practice, it is vital if you want to build a strong, trusting relationship. People notice, even when you don't. Also remember to underpromise and overdeliver.

  • Laugh a Lot
    Laughter is a powerful tool in building relationships - you are sharing the same emotion, in the same moment. Ever seen two people in fits of laughter? How strong was that bond then? Pretty strong, I guess. Ever been there yourself? Yes, you know the feeling. It works, so share the fun and joy of the moment.

  • Hear Them
    It is not about listening, it's about hearing them. So what's the distinction here? It means being so with the person that you sense other things beneath the words. This is a very powerful tool you can use. Further sensitive questioning then adds into your evidence, which can give you great clues to help build the relationship.

  • Be The Audience
    Remember that when you are talking, you might be using the same language, but you hear it with different ears, different experiences and altogether a different 'take' on the words. A great coach I know, Elaine Wylie, had a problem with her cell phone one day and heard a serious echo. She heard herself fully before her caller responded. It was very revealing. So hear what you are saying from your audience's 'ears'.

  • Give space - Listen up
    Have you ever spoken to someone uninterrupted for as long as it took to say all you had to say? Were there spaces where it went quiet? What did you say next? In Nancy Kilne's great book 'Time to Think' she explores great exercises to do just that. The experience is magical. Give your listener space to talk and let them fill the silences. You will have pure rapport and a recognition that you care so much.

    So that's all there is to it. There maybe a few other things, but get these here somewhere like right and it will create relationships of value for you all over the place - through the rapport you have built in the moment.

    Daunted? Don't be. Try one or two at a time and see the reaction - play with these ideas. Build your confidence. Enjoy the learning to Build Rapport Fast!

    Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com

    ...helping you, to help your people, to help your business grow...


    MORE RESOURCES:

    Reuters

    CORRECTED: Management wins bid for Lehman's Neuberger
    Reuters - 1 hour ago
    PK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) prized asset management unit Neuberger Berman has been won by a team consisting of Neuberger's management, ...
    Neuberger Berman Management, Lehman to Purchase Investment Unit Bloomberg
    Neuberger to Be Acquired by Management MarketWatch
    Three Bidders Emerge for Lehman Investment Management Unit Wall Street Journal
    New York Times - Bloomberg
    all 293 news articles


    Upcoming CyberShift Webcast Examines the ROI of SaaS-Deployed ...
    MarketWatch - 2 hours ago
    Through an automated workforce management solution -- especially using the SaaS-based delivery model -- organizations can leverage their workforces to ...


    Everest Software Partners with Foxfire to Offer Integrated ...
    MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
    Foxfire specializes in Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). Comprised of software, hardware, and professional services, Foxfire's WMS solution is ideal for ...


    SuccessFactors' Professional Edition Enhances Orion Bank's ...
    MarketWatch - 4 hours ago
    the global leader in on-demand performance and talent management solutions, today announced Orion Bank has selected the SuccessFactors Professional Edition ...


    Research and Markets: Decision Matrix: Selecting an Institutional ...
    MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
    ... of the "Decision Matrix: Selecting an Institutional Performance Management Solution in Higher Education (Competitor Focus)" report to their offering. ...
    Research and Markets: Selecting a Managed Network Services Vendor ... MarketWatch
    all 12 news articles


    Goldman wealth management unit hit by fund's decline: report
    Reuters - 10 hours ago
    This decline in the fund, called Goldman Sachs Liquidity Partners 2007, has hurt the company's plans to expand its wealth management operations, ...
    Another Goldman unit hit by decline Financial Times
    Another Goldman unit hit by decline FT Alphaville
    all 18 news articles


    Maktoob Business (press release)

    Services contracting at the worst pace ever
    MarketWatch - Dec 3, 2008
    ... contracting in November at the fastest pace on record, according to a survey of companies released Wednesday by the Institute for Supply Management. ...
    RPT-TABLE-US ISM non-manufacturing index 37.3 in Nov Reuters
    Service sector weakens in November CNN
    ISM: New Orders, Prices Plummet TheStreet.com
    Seeking Alpha - MarketWatch
    all 855 news articles


    RCN Management to Present at UBS 36th Annual Global Media ...
    MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
    , , ) , a leading provider of all-digital television, high-capacity data, and voice services to residential, business customers and service providers, ...
    Avaya Global Services Offer to Help Enterprises Optimize Existing ... MarketWatch
    all 19 news articles


    Qualia Clinical Services: New Director, Data Management and ...
    MarketWatch - 19 hours ago
    "Data Management and Regulatory Affairs are a very integral part of what we do at Qualia, and we are very confident that Dr. Por's background and expertise ...


    MMM Successfully Completes Contract Management Project for ERDAS
    MarketWatch - Dec 3, 2008
    Morris, Manning & Martin's Contract Management System helps businesses of all sizes manage their contracts more efficiently and effectively. ...

    Management - Google News

  • home | site map
    © 2006