12/08/2025
๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐
๐ป๐๐ค ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก?
We hear about the importance of building rapport all the time, don't we. We know it's a great resource and a much-needed asset but how do we actually do it?
There are a variety of techniques you can use, some easy and some complicated, so I'd like to share with you some quick, easy and effective ones to get you started.
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: Sounds easy but it can also get a little awkward - how long, how often, can I blink???? The important thing is to stay face-to-face. Try not to constantly look down, don't look at your phone/computer, or be distracted by movement around you or behind them. This is just as important on a video call as it is in real life. Honour the person's presence by being present.
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐: This is easier in person as you can see and hear their breathing pattern although can be achieved if you are online. This very simple exercise brings you both into alignment. It is also very powerful if the person is agitated/upset and their breathing is heightened. By breathing with them initially and then slowing down your own rhythm, they too will begin to calm down. This works brilliantly with children by the way!
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: This is a little trickier and takes a bit of practice but it's a fun one. Listen to their language - do they use:
visual words like "I ๐ฌ๐๐ today is ...", "Now, ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค ..." or perhaps auditory language like "I ๐ก๐๐๐ซ that ...", "๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ฌ great" or maybe they are tactile, saying things like "๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ on ...", "I ๐๐๐๐ฅ that ..." or is it a logical way of speaking like "I need to ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐", "I ๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ that ...". These are all clues as to how they process the world around them. If you can match their "language" they will see/hear/feel understood!
I'd love to hear about your experiences with these three rapport builders and if you tried them face-to-face or online.
