I bet you have had times when you have walked into a shop and felt immediately welcome. Im also pretty sure that youve had occasions where youve felt just the opposite. What was the difference? What happened in the place that created that welcome feeling within you?
Maybe the assistant noticed you entering and offered you a smile and said hello. They are telling you that you are welcome in their space both physically and mentally. Compare this with a shop where you were completely ignored until you went to pay for something. What message are you getting there?
What is rapport?
Rapport is the art of being in tune with the people around you. Good rapport will enable you to let others know that you are interested in them, that you care about what they have to say and are keen to understand them. It sends them a message that there is common ground and creates a sense of consideration, respect and trust.
Good rapport lies at the heart of your effective communication. It enables you to get peoples attention and for them to take onboard what you have to say. Good rapport comes from body language and how you say things through the tonality and rhythm of...