I always try and be as patient as possible. Some people gain trust when they don't feel that the person they are communicating with is being judgmental and impatient. I don't ever want anyone feeling like they aren't worth my time and that their questions and concerns don't matter. I want everyone I speak with to feel comfortable with me and look at me as approachable.
Michael, That is a great example. Reading someone's body language is a very important part of building rapport. What are other body language signs to look out for?
Dr. Jean Norris
I believe reading body language is a skill I can certainly improve upon. For example, if I can read someone's closed-armed stance as a potential road block it will help me to address it with that person, which in turn will build more rapport.
Portia,
It sounds like you really understand how to communicate! What are some questions you ask to open the lines of communication?
Dr. Jean Norris
Always having a positive attitude no matter what helps to build rapport with students. Sharing information about yourself and things you may have in common opens the lines of communication and students are able to feel at ease when talking to you and are more open to share..
Britton,
Great awareness! Thank you for sharing in the forum. I am sure this will help others, too!
Dr. Jean Norris
I need to work on my small talk. I do not interact with people outside of work much and am limited on my local experience outside of work, so I need to find things to develop conversations around that are relevant but open for conversation.
Laura,
You are very right, it can be hard to focus in such a fast-paced world! What specifically will you do to achieve your goals of listening and slowing down?
Dr. Jean Norris
My area will definitely be listening skills and to slow down. Unfortunately in the field I work it is a constant multi-task, coaching, leading and motivating my employees.
Juan,
Excellent point and great awareness! Thank you so much for sharing this practice.
Dr. Jean Norris
The foundation for me is my attitude and sincere desire to help anyone and everyone I have the fortune to come in contact with. Sincerity drives my eye contact and heartfelt engagement with others. My hope- they can feel that I have a feel for or seek what is important to them. Moreover, people could care less about what I know until they know how much I care.
Juan Wilkerson
Thanks for sharing Kim. Keep smiling :)
Dr. Jean Norris
I will work on my attitude skills. Sometimes I need to smile more which can be perceived as attitude but really just thinking too much but I want my student to say "wow she is always happy and smiling".
Building rapport with others can be as simple as asking a few good questions and then listening for that opportunity to find the connection or common interest between the two people. What types of questions do you like to ask to start building rapport?
Dr. Jean Norris
I would like to successfully build rapport with others by developing better communication skills, listening to what others have to say as well as wanting them to listen to what I have to say, trying to make a connection with them by asking questions that make the other person aware that I am interested in them and by what they might or do have to say.
Erin,
Great idea! You're right, perfecting a skill takes practice and practicing with your friends might even help them learn these skills too! Let us know how it works out for you.
Dr. Jean Norris
I think for me the biggest thing I need to work on is building a rapport with an individual. Finding common ground in the conversation is really key and definitely takes practice. Paying more attention to the casual conversations I have with friends will help me to build more of a routine when trying to establish rapport with a stranger. In the end, practice is always the best way to perfect a skill.
Erin,
Great ideas! What are some things that make small talk easy for you? Believe it or not...this is hard for others.
Dr. Jean Norris
In order to build rapport with others I will work on the steps of effective communication. I will try hard not to skip steps. I feel rituals and small talk are easy to accomplish but I want to make sure that I do no jump to opinions too quickly.
Jeana,
This is a powerful thing to remember! Thanks for sharing!
Dr. Jean Norris
