There are certain behaviours that are particularly helpful in building rapport. These include:

• If you are sitting, then lean towards the person you are talking to, with hands open and arms and legs uncrossed. This is open body language and will help you and the person you are talking to feel more relaxed.
• Look at the other person for approximately 60% of the time. Give plenty of eye-contact but be careful not to make them feel uncomfortable.
• When listening, nod and make encouraging sounds and gestures.
• Smile!
• Use the other person’s name early in the conversation. This is not only seen as polite but will also reinforce the name in your mind so you are less likely to forget it!
• Try to ask the other person open questions (the type of questions that require more than a yes or no answer). These questions are more comfortable to answer, because you are not being put on the spot to give a clear opinion
• Avoid contentious topics of conversation. It is much easier to stick to the weather, the last speaker, and travel arrangements than risk falling out over politics.
• Use feedback to summarise, reflect and clarify back to the other person what you think they have said. This gives opportunity for any misunderstandings to be rectified quickly.
• Talk about things that refer back to what the other person has said. Find links between common experiences.
• Try to show empathy.Demonstrate that you can understand how the other person feels and can see things from their point of view.
• When in agreement with the other person, openly say so and say why.
• Build on the other person’s ideas.
• Be non-judgemental towards the other person. Let go of stereotypes and any preconceived ideas you may have about the person.
• If you must disagree with the other person, give the reason first, then say you disagree.
• Admit when you don’t know the answer or have made a mistake. Being honest is always the best tactic and acknowledging mistakes will help to build trust.
• Be genuine, with visual and verbal behaviours working together to maximize the impact of your communication.
• Offer compliments, avoid criticism and be polite.