How to build "rapport" with a stranger or a person we seek immediate attention from.
This can happen to you every day in various legitimate circumstances, you will see why.
But let's examin first, " why " building rapport ?
Quite simply because rapport illicits almost immediate attention and cooperation in a pleasant and civilized manner.
So, how to build rapport with a stranger ?
Since, it's purely based on observing the person we need to illicit attention from :
1 ✅ Adopt for a few minutes the same body posture of the person, you
want to get to. Same body language, same eye contact.
2 ✅ Put specific attention on the same tone of voice if possible.
3 ✅ If in an indoor meeting, you can even adopt the same breathing
pace of your counterpart sitting next to you.
4 ✅ To short questions provide swift short answers, keep the eyes on your
counterpart and follow his mind.
Note that, not everyone agrees with this, and strangely the most virulent
opponents never care to try. Furthermore they may accuse you of
psychological manipulation.
My answer is threefold:
- It's proof that rapport does work and remarkably well
- Rapport has been abundantly used by all investigation agencies in the
world because it creates a successful short term relationship between
the interviewer (you) and the interviewee (the counterpart)
- Here, our communication techniques are always motivated by effective cooperation based on goodwill and mutual respect.
Try building rapport this week with a new person to engage in a
conversation, or with your boss to negotiate a deal 😊 and let us know
the result.
After almost 2 weeks of rest, I am coming back with regular topics, parts of my "Communicating with Confidence" series.
Stay tune for more. 😊
(Photo by Dylan Gillis for Unsplash)