Building rapport is one of the most important skills for success in business. In today’s episode, we’ll explore the secrets to building rapport and connecting with anyone.
As business owners, we know how crucial it is to develop relationships and really connect with potential clients and customers. But it’s not always easy to get people to open up right away. That’s where these simple rapport building techniques come in.
We were recently at a conference where they were teaching strategies from the book “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss. It’s all about negotiation tactics, but we realized these same approaches can be used just to strengthen any relationship.
There are only two steps:
1. Validation – After someone shares something with you, simply say “Seems like” or “Sounds like” and rephrase what they told you in your own words. This shows you were listening and understand their perspective.
For example, if someone says “I’m so stressed today!” you could reply “Seems like you really value being organized and on time.” Validate how they’re feeling while also giving a subtle compliment.
2. Questioning – Take the last few words of what they said and turn it into a question. This opens the door for them to elaborate more.
So if they said “I’m always so busy!” you could ask “You’re always so busy?” And it encourages them to keep talking.
We practiced this back and forth, and it’s amazing to see how much more Rachel started sharing about herself. Without even realizing it, these simple statements and questions build a sense of comfort and rapport.
The goal is to really understand the other person on a deeper level. To find what we call, “ the hidden pearl” – that underlying motivation or drive they may not be voicing. By taking the time to actively listen and make the other person feel heard and valued, you start forming a real connection. And that is so important for gaining trust and developing strong relationships both personally and professionally.
Give it a try – we promise it works! Let us know if you have any other questions. Otherwise, we hope you learned something helpful today. Join us again next time for more tips on growing your business with heart.