How To Build Rapport With Body Language

We build rapport with individuals by showing similarities and adapting our conversation to suit their needs. By being adaptable we can speak to any culture, and age group, any gender. When we look at mirroring techniques we are not suggesting copying the individual’s behaviour completely. This will only detract from building a relationship with them. It’s about adapting and showing small similarities that we ourselves are able to provide. Ways to do this follows:

Tonality

We can match our tonality to the individuals tone using volume pitch and tempo. We do this to help walk with the individual in conversation. Once we have done this we can then take the lead and lead the individual using our tone.

Verbal Use

Using the words the individual also uses helps us communicate on the same level. Many educated people use larger more sophisticated words and this enable us to also use these words when speaking with them. If someone has a vocabulary at a lower level we may need to drop technical jargon or words we ourselves may only understand. To be sure you are matching the verbal use of the individual use the words they use.

Body Language

Matching body language within your own will help the individual feel at ease. If the individual uses gestures this allows you also to communicate with gestures. Many cultures do not look people in the eyes or the greeting may be different. Customising you own language to suit will help you accept all cultures and all people