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Building Rapport

Establishing strong two-way connections.

By the Mind Tools Content Team

Have you ever known people who have a knack for connecting with others? No matter who they meet, they manage to create a sense of trust and understanding within minutes.

It doesn't matter what industry you're in or what position you hold: knowing how to build rapport can bring you countless opportunities. After all, when you have a rapport with someone, he or she will usually want to help you succeed.

Some people might argue that this is all a natural gift – either you can build rapport with people or you can't. However, this is not the whole story. Rapport can develop naturally, but anyone can also nurture and improve rapport, just as they can any other skill.

So what is rapport, and how can you become skilled at developing it? We'll examine this, and more, in this article.

See the transcript for this video here !

What Is Rapport?

Rapport forms the basis of meaningful, close and harmonious relationships between people. It's the sense of connection that you get when you meet someone you like and trust, and whose point of view you understand. It's the bond that forms when you discover that you share one another's values and priorities in life.

According to researchers Linda Tickle-Degnen and Robert Rosenthal, when you have a rapport with someone, you share:

Mutual attentiveness: you're both focused on, and interested in, what the other person is saying or doing.
Positivity: you're both friendly and happy, and you show care and concern for one another.
Coordination: you feel "in sync" with one another, so that you share a common understanding. Your energy levels, tone and body language are also similar. [1]

This connection can appear instantly – when you "click" with someone – or develop slowly, over time. It can grow naturally, without intent, or you can deliberately set out to build it.

Rapport isn't just a tool for building relationships, though; it's often the foundation of success. When you have a rapport with someone, you're better placed to influence, learn and teach, particularly as the trust that you've built up means other people are more likely to accept your ideas, to share information, and to create opportunities together.

Whether you're being interviewed for a job, selling something, or trying to improve a relationship , knowing how to build rapport can help you to perform successfully.

Rapport is similar to trust. You can build trust and rapport simultaneously, but rapport focuses more on establishing a bond or connection, whereas trust relies more on establishing a reputation for reliability, consistency and keeping your promises.

How to Build Rapport

Rapport must be a two-way connection between people, so it's not something that you can create by yourself. You can, however, learn how to stimulate it by following these six steps.

Use your best judgment when applying these techniques. Be sure not to use them cynically or dishonestly, to sell people something that they wouldn't otherwise want, for example, or to manipulate them into a course of action that's against their best interests.

1. Check Your Appearance

First impressions count , and your appearance should help you to connect with people, not create a barrier. A good rule of thumb is to dress just a little "better" than the people you're about to meet. However, if you arrive and see that you're overdressed, you can quickly dress down to suit the situation.

2. Remember the Basics

Always remember the basics of good communication :

Be culturally appropriate .
Remember people's names .
Hold your head up and maintain a good posture.
Listen carefully and attentively .
Don't outstay your welcome.

These basic tenets form the foundation of great communication. It will be hard to establish rapport without them, as they will help you to establish trust, empathy, and a feeling in people that you are listening to them.

3. Find Common Ground

Identifying common ground can help to establish rapport, so use small talk to find something that you both share.

Most people like talking about themselves . [2] The more genuine interest you show in them, the more likely they are to relax and "open up." Use open-ended questions to discover personal information: perhaps you attended the same college, share the same hobbies, grew up in the same city, or support the same sports team. Even just expressing your shared frustration at the traffic that delayed your journeys to work can help you to draw closer to someone.

It's important to be genuine and sincere, and to avoid overdoing things. Don't make up an interest or try too hard, just to create rapport. Not only can this seem desperate and off-putting, but it can also dent your credibility!

Laughter is a great tool for building rapport, but do use humor with care. Not everyone can tell a joke, and what might seem like acceptable sarcasm to you could cause offense to somebody else. If you think there's a possibility that a comment might be taken the wrong way, don't make it.

4. Create Shared Experiences

Rapport can't grow without human interaction, and a great way to interact is to create new, shared experiences. Shared experiences can be as simple as attending the same conference session together, or as complex as cooperating on a new management process. Working collaboratively to define problems, devise solutions, and design strategies, for example, can help to bring you and the other person closer.

5. Be Empathic

Empathy is about understanding other people by seeing things from their perspective, and recognizing their emotions. So, to understand and share another person's perspective, you need to learn what makes them tick. As we've already mentioned, many people enjoy talking about their likes and dislikes, needs and wants, and problems and successes, so ask open-ended questions and give them space to talk.

You need to really hear what they say, so that you can respond intelligently and with curiosity. So, it's important to be a good listener , and to fine-tune your emotional intelligence . You can also use Perceptual Positions – a technique for seeing things from other people's perspectives.

It's hard to establish rapport with someone who wants to talk only about herself, so try to balance the conversation. Aim to share as much as the other person does. You'll both feel more comfortable as a result.

6. Mirror and Match

Research shows that we prefer people who we perceive to be just like ourselves. [3] Mirroring and matching are techniques for building rapport by making yourself more like the other person.

How you do this is about more than just what you say. Psychologist Albert Mehrabian found that the words we speak account for just seven percent of our communication about emotions or attitudes. The nature of our voice makes up a greater percentage (38 percent), and our body language makes up as much as 55 percent. You'll be missing a trick if you don't consider the "whole picture" of human communication.

So, try these techniques to build rapport:

Watch the other person's body language , including gesture, posture and expression. If, for example, they rest their chin on their left hand, consider mirroring them by doing the same with your right hand, or matching them by using your left.
Adopt a similar temperament. If the other person is introverted or extroverted, shy or exuberant, you could try behaving in the same way.
Use similar language . If the other person uses simple, direct words, then you should, too. If they speak in technical language, then match that style. You can also reiterate key or favorite words or phrases.
Match the other person's speech patterns, such as tone, tempo and volume. For instance, if they speak softly and slowly, then lower the volume and tempo of your voice.

Discretion and common sense are essential when mirroring and matching. Don't, for example, mimic every word and gesture. If you do, you risk causing offense. Be subtle and aim to reach a point where you're naturally synchronizing your behavior, so that the other person is unaware of what you're doing.

Mirroring and matching can be difficult skills to master. However, remember that we all unconsciously mirror and match family, friends and colleagues every day. If you want to practice, try using role-playing .

If people know about body language, they'll pick up that you're mirroring and this might have the opposite effect to the one that you want. So, don't be mechanistic – be relaxed and appropriate.

Re-Establishing Rapport

It takes time to rebuild rapport when it has been lost.

First, address why you lost rapport in the first place. Be humble and explain honestly and simply what happened. If you need to apologize , do so.

Next, focus on ways of repairing any broken trust. Put in extra work if you need to, and keep your word. Transparency and genuine concern for the other person's needs will go a long way to rebuilding trust and re-establishing rapport.

You build rapport when you develop mutual trust, friendship and affinity with someone.

Building rapport can be incredibly beneficial to your career – it helps you to establish good interpersonal relationships, and this can open many doors for you.

Follow these six steps to build rapport:

Check your appearance.
Remember the basics of good communication.
Find common ground.
Create shared experiences.
Be empathic.
Mirror and match mannerisms and speech appropriately.

Rapport is best built over the long term. However, you can use these strategies to build it quite quickly, if you need to.

[1] Tickle-Degnen, L. and Rosenthal, R. (1990). 'The Nature of Rapport and Its Nonverbal Correlates,' Psychological Inquiry , Volume 1, Issue 4. Available here . [Accessed December 6, 2016.]

[2] Tamir, D. and Mitchell, J. (2012). 'Disclosing Information About the Self is Intrinsically Rewarding,' Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , Volume 109, Issue 21. Available here . [Accessed December 6, 2016.]

[3] Jenkins, A., Macrae, C. and Mitchell, J. (2008). 'Repetition Suppression of Ventromedial Prefrontal Activity During Judgments of Self and Others,' Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , Volume 105, Issue 11. Available here . [Accessed December 6, 2016.]

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How to Build Rapport With Clients: 18 Examples & Questions

It can also increase client attrition.

In contrast, establishing rapport at the outset helps to calm clients while promoting confidence in the clinician. This type of therapeutic engagement involves “establishing a mutually trusting and respectful helping relationship” (Miller & Rollnick, 2013, p. 47).

This article will highlight various aspects of rapport, including what it means, why it’s important, and how to engage in it. Excellent tools, resources, and examples are also included. So, now that we’ve broken the ice, let’s take a more in-depth look at rapport and why it’s such an integral aspect of the therapist–client relationship.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free . These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees.

This Article Contains:

What is rapport in psychology and coaching, 3 examples of good rapport in counseling, is rapport important in the therapeutic relationship, how to build rapport with clients, 14 tips for developing trust and empathy, fostering rapport: 10 questions to ask patients, helpful tools from positivepsychology.com, a take-home message.

Defined as “the ability to connect with others in a way that creates a climate of trust and understanding” (Zakaria & Musta’amal, 2014, p. 2), establishing client rapport is the therapist’s first objective (Leach, 2005).

Rapport is a relationship in which the clinician simply clicks with the client (Reiman, 2007), and it is a continuous process that must be nurtured during each session. Ultimately, the goal of the therapist is to establish a therapeutic alliance (Horvath & Greenberg, 1989), which is aided by various aspects of the therapist’s behavior, such as language, facial expression, body language, warmth, etc.

Given that the client is exposing vulnerability by sharing their innermost secrets, feelings, and fears, it is only right that the counselor acts in a way that supports a collaborative and trusting client relationship.

Trust and rapport are the connective tissue for gaining and maintaining healthy relationships.

Susan C. Young, 2017

They demonstrate the therapist’s ability to take in the client’s concerns and feelings, and respond in ways that enhance the therapeutic process.

Andrew is a middle-aged man experiencing a high level of anxiety. At the urging of his wife, he finally decided to attend therapy. He has never been to therapy and has always considered “shrinks” to be clinical and unfeeling.

He is also worried that they will see into his deepest fears and regrets, which makes him incredibly nervous. Andrew has always believed that seeking therapy makes a person weak, and he is especially worried about others finding out what he tells the therapist .

Andrew’s therapist greets him with warmth and friendliness, while offering him a beverage. She makes excellent eye contact and speaks in a soothing voice. She breaks the ice by making small talk about the beautiful weather outside, briefly mentioning her tulip garden and lack of green thumb.

These comments help to humanize her, while offering Andrew some time to calm down. The therapist discusses his right to privacy and confidentiality, which eases Andrew’s mind.

She also talks to him about how common anxiety symptoms are and that there is no shame in seeking help. The therapist’s approach and discussion of stigma and privacy concerns help Andrew to feel more relaxed and trusting, and ultimately to open up about his feelings.

Maggie is a 32-year-old woman who has been experiencing major relationship problems. She isn’t getting along with her coworkers or her boyfriend. She believes others are to blame for her issues and becomes defensive if these ideas are challenged.

She doesn’t want to go to therapy, as it has never helped before. Plus, she really doesn’t trust psychologists. But Maggie decides to attend counseling out of fear of losing her job. She presents with her arms crossed and a clearly distrustful and irritable demeanor.

Maggie’s therapist greets her with a kind smile as he escorts her into his colorful, comfy office. He offers her something to drink as he asks her if she had a pleasant weekend.

Maggie’s irritable responses are evident to the therapist, who is careful to speak in a nonjudgmental, understanding way. As she explains all the “crap she has to deal with each day,” the therapist uses a lot reflective listening, paraphrasing, and open-ended probes for information (e.g., “Sounds like that argument with your boss was really frustrating for you” and “Can you tell me a little more about what that was like for you?”).

Her therapist’s style exudes competence combined with an engaging and supportive approach, which enhances Maggie’s confidence in his skills while minimizing distrust.

He also helps her to feel validated by respecting her opinions, and his positive attitude increases Maggie’s own optimism about feeling better. Lastly, he does not use psychological jargon, which could exacerbate her feelings of defensiveness around therapy. With plenty of time and patience, Maggie can benefit from her therapy sessions.

Jeremy is a teenager who has become increasingly withdrawn. His grades have gotten worse lately, and he either sulks around the house or hibernates in his room. Jeremy’s parents are worried about him and have taken him to see a counselor, which really irritates him as he has issues with authority. He slumps in his chair, barely responding to questions with more than a shrug.

Jeremy’s therapist is familiar with adolescent issues. She greets him warmly and does not speak to him as if he were a child. She carefully explains privacy laws related to therapy with minors, which reassures Jeremy that (aside from concerns regarding risks of potential harm to himself or others) his parents won’t be informed of anything he shares during therapy.

She also describes the collaborative nature of therapy and how the two of them will work as a team to determine the therapeutic process and goals. Although Jeremy is reticent, his therapist is patient, never pushing him to speak and allowing plenty of time for pauses. She is nonjudgmental and uses positive affirmations when Jeremy shares difficult feelings.

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While research examining the impact of rapport within the counseling field is lacking (Leach, 2005), studies do support a positive association between rapport and therapeutic benefits.

Here are five examples:

Establishing a “partnership and mutual collaboration between therapist and client,” (Horvath, Del Re, Flückiger, & Symonds, 2011, p. 11) requires building trust and rapport. Meta-analysis findings indicate that a strong therapeutic alliance is predictive of desirable treatment outcomes (Horvath et al., 2011).
Joe, Simpson, Dansereau, and Rowan-Szal (2001) examined the link between drug abuse outcomes and rapport among individuals treated in a methadone clinic. A lower degree of rapport was related to greater cocaine use and criminal behavior .
Kasarabada, Hser, Boles, and Huang (2002) conducted a prospective longitudinal study investigating the link between clients’ perceptions of their counselors and treatment outcomes. The results indicated that positive perceptions of counselors were associated with significantly longer stays in treatment and better psychiatric outcomes . Among the counselor qualities that predicted treatment retention were trust, empathy , genuineness, openness, and nurturance .
Harwood and Eyberg (2004) examined verbal behaviors among therapists while engaging in parent–child interaction therapy. The researchers found that supportive therapist verbalizations predicted greater treatment success .
According to a comprehensive review by Keijsers, Schaap, and Hoogduin (2000), among the factors related to positive treatment outcomes among Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists were empathy, genuineness, warmth, and positive regard .

In her book, The Art of Connection: 8 Ways to Enrich Rapport & Kinship for Positive Impact , Susan Young (2017) describes the following ways to shine a positive light on others:

Maintain a sense of calm rather than acting with defensiveness.
Solicit the other person’s opinion.
Be patient.
Allow the client to appear smart and insightful.
Avoid behavior that is humiliating to the other person, such as pointing out flaws.
Put your own ego on the back burner.
Practice concern for and awareness of the other person’s feelings.
Find ways to make the other person feel at ease.

Along with Young’s (2017) suggestions, additional methods that help clinicians build rapport include:

Use nonverbal cues that convey warmth and understanding.
Break the ice with small talk.
Integrate humor into the conversation as appropriate.
Show empathy and compassion, especially when the client is distressed.
Avoid being judgmental.
Treat the client as a partner/collaborator in the treatment process.
Foster the client’s sense of self-efficacy.
Attend to the client’s nonverbal cues.
Use reflective listening and paraphrasing.
Engage in active listening so the client feels truly heard.
Do not allow disruptions or distractions during sessions.
Maintain a positive, enthusiastic, and supportive attitude.
Use positive affirmations.
Clarify client confidentiality and privacy rights.
Ensure that the clinical environment is peaceful, private, and comfortable.
Avoid technical jargon.
Be flexible and open minded.
Use open-ended questions to elicit further information.
Use a soothing tone of voice.
Never move too quickly, begin with ice breaking, and proceed at the client’s pace.

Building rapport with clients – Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Carl Rogers believed that “true empathy is always free of any evaluative or diagnostic quality. The recipient perceives this with some surprise. ‘If I am not being judged, perhaps I am not so evil or abnormal as I have thought’” (Vincent, 2018, p. 167).

Rogers understood that by identifying with another person’s situation, the therapist elicits the client’s trust, which is crucial for motivating clients to change. These ideas are consistent with the substantive literature. In fact, empathetic listening skills are deemed to be essential components of evidence-based counselor training (Moyers & Miller, 2013).

There are a number of ways to enhance empathy and trust within the counseling context. For example, in a qualitative study in Australia, Phillip, Beel, and Machin (2020) examined methods that counselors use to build rapport during phone conversations with clients.

Based on their findings, the researchers reported the following recommendations for building trust and rapport during phone counseling :

Empathize with the client’s emotional and cognitive frame of reference by drawing from their stories and manner of expression.
Attend to the client’s paralanguage cues (e.g., volume, pitch, pauses, etc.).
Use your own paralanguage as a way of moderating the client’s emotion.
Use reflective responses and questions to clarify the client’s emotional and cognitive state.
Mirror the client’s language, tone, and pace as a way of calming emotional clients.

In another qualitative study, Lynch (2012) investigated the key factors that produce successful therapeutic outcomes. Twelve interviews by licensed clinical social workers were analyzed for themes.

When asked “How do you show empathy toward your clients?” participants reported the following:

Using appropriate eye contact and body language
Using active listening techniques and reflecting language
Being genuine, present, and mindful during sessions
Focusing more on listening than speaking
Using self-disclosure as appropriate
Validating the client’s feelings

In a third qualitative study, open-ended interviews were conducted with female clients in order to explore client perceptions of empathic listening (Myers, 2000). Participants reported the following counselor behaviors as important for experiencing an empathic bond with the therapist:

Expressing nonjudgmental acceptance
Listening carefully, which includes remembering details
Providing feedback via paraphrasing, questioning, and summarizing

Here are 10 examples of rapport-boosting questions:

How are you doing today? This basic question is essential for initiating the therapist–client meeting. In addition to showing interest in the client, it may reveal a lot about the client’s mood.
Did you find the office okay? Do you live in this neighborhood? Where did you grow up? While many of us dislike small talk, it is of great value when it comes to rapport building during therapy. Clients, especially new ones, are often anxious. Breaking the ice with simple small talk helps them to ease into counseling. It also makes the counselor seem more friendly and relatable.
What brings you here? This question helps to set the stage as far as the client’s perceived problems. While it will be further unpacked during the therapeutic process, the client’s initial thoughts about what’s going on in their life often reveal important information.
Have you been to therapy before? If so, what was your impression of it? This question helps the therapist to gauge aspects of the client’s therapy history that will inform them of how best to proceed.
What was it you didn’t like about your prior experience? Treatment resistance is a key obstacle to effective therapy. Determining prior barriers will enable the counselor to act in a way that promotes retention. For example, if the client disliked the prior therapist’s client-centered approach, the current clinician may opt for a more directive style.
What might have made your prior therapy experience better? Again, this question helps the therapist to create an optimal experience for the client by incorporating the qualities they would most appreciate.
Tell me about yourself. This open-ended prompt often elicits a wealth of information about how the client sees themselves and the impetus for attending therapy. It also helps to build rapport before getting into more detailed questions.
What do you consider your greatest strengths? Along with learning about the client’s degree of self-efficacy and self-esteem , this question is useful for creating treatment approaches and goals.
What are the primary areas you would like to focus on during therapy? Therapy is a collaborative process, and this question helps the client to feel like a valued partner in the therapy process.
How do you hope to see yourself in the future? Along with providing important treatment goal information for the therapist, this question also enables the client to visualize themselves in a positive light, which is a great way to enhance motivation.

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We have several useful resources throughout our blog for building rapport with clients. To get you started, take a look at the following further reading and free worksheets.

Listening Accurately Worksheet This handout presents five simple steps to facilitate accurate listening and can be used to help establish communication norms at the beginning of a coaching relationship.
10 Ways to Build Trust in a Relationship This article features a great deal of information aimed at enhancing trust in relationships, including between clients and clinicians. More specifically, the article includes tips for generating trust, such as utilizing effective communication skills, expressing empathy, and maintaining a calm demeanor. Trust-building activities for groups are also provided.
32+ Coaching Skills and Techniques for Life Coaches & Leaders This article takes a comprehensive look at various rapport-building strategies used by coaches. In particular, the article covers motivational techniques, coaching models, online group coaching , and effective communication. Here, you’ll also find various book recommendations to further your coaching skills even more.
Levels of Validation This short self-assessment helps coaches and other helping professionals consider the level at which they typically validate the feelings and experiences of their clients, ranging from mindfully listening to radical genuineness.

If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others enhance their wellbeing, this signature collection contains 17 validated positive psychology tools for practitioners. Use them to help others flourish and thrive.

If counseling is a process of discovery and recovery, then grace is essential to help clients experience enough safety to explore the hidden places of their lives.

Mark R. McMinn

A powerful counselor–client bond is essential to support clients in realizing their treatment objectives.

It is seen as a first step and absolutely necessary to create a harmonious and trusting therapeutic relationship. In this space, a client can unpack their vulnerabilities and move toward healing.

By establishing trust, being authentic, and listening actively, the therapist can open the door to building quality rapport, which helps to enhance client motivation and compliance, and ultimately therapeutic success.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free .

Harwood, M., & Eyberg, S. (2004). Therapist verbal behavior early in treatment: Relation to successful completion of parent-child interaction therapy. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology , 33 , 601–612.
Horvath, A., & Greenberg, L. (1989). Development and validation of the Working Alliance Inventory. Journal of Counseling Psychology , 36 , 223–233.
Horvath, A., Del Re, A., Flückiger, C., & Symonds, D. (2011). Alliance in individual psychotherapy. Psychotherapy , 48 , 9–16.
Joe, G., Simpson, D. D., Dansereau, D., & Rowan-Szal, G. A. (2001). Relationships between counseling rapport and drug abuse treatment outcomes. Psychiatry Services , 52 (9), 1223–1229.
Kasarabada, N., Hser, Y., Boles, S., & Huang, Y. (2002). Do patients’ perceptions of their counsellors influence outcomes of drug treatment? Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment , 23 , 327–334.
Keijsers, G., Schaap, C., & Hoogduin, C. (2000). The impact of interpersonal patient and therapist behavior on outcome in cognitive-behavioral therapy: A review of empirical studies. Behavior Modification , 24 , 264–297.
Leach, M. (2005). Rapport: A key to treatment success. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice , 11 , 262–265.
Lynch, M. M. (2012). Factors influencing successful psychotherapy outcomes (Master’s clinical research paper, St. Catherine University, Minnesota). Retrieved from https://sophia.stkate.edu/msw_papers/57
McMinn, M. R. (n.d.). Retrieved May 21, 2021, from https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/87398.Mark_R_McMinn
Miller, W., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change . Guilford Press.
Moyers, T., & Miller, W. (2013). Is low therapist empathy toxic? Psychology of Addictive Behaviors , 27 , 878–884.
Myers, S. (2000). Empathic listening: Reports on the experience of being heard. Journal of Humanistic Psychology , 40 , 148–173.
Phillip, K., Beel, N, & Machin, T. (2020). Understanding the cues and strategies counsellors use to develop rapport with clients through telephone counselling. Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia , 8 , 1–9.
Reiman, T. (2007). The power of body language: How to succeed in every business and social encounter . Pocket Books.
Vincent, S. (2018). Being empathic: A companion for counsellors and therapists . CRC Press.
Young, S. (2017). The art of connection: 8 Ways to enrich rapport & kinship for positive impact . ReNew You Ventures.
Zakaria, R., & Musta’amal, A. (2014). Rapport building in qualitative research. 1st International Education Postgraduate Seminar Proceedings , 1 .

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Amazing!! makes me think also how to talk to anyone- careful not to hurt feelings and make them feel good about themselve

Thank you very much for this wonderful information.

This article was therapy for me, it was wonderful, and a great wake-up call. And in your own words it is truly a great process of discovery and recovery for all involved.

Step by step Questioning without provocation may run as smooth conersation to elicit the required information or INput

This was very helpful especially with therapy taking place via Telehealth! And also a quick refresher. Thank you!

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Delivery Techniques →

Learn How to Build Instant Rapport with Your Audience

If you’ve ever felt nervous when speaking in public, and wondered how to create a connection with your audience, you’re not alone. A fundamental aspect of effective delivery is building rapport in public speaking.

This blog post will guide you through essential techniques such as using humor, sharing personal stories, and employing inclusive language that makes everyone feel welcome. Ready to turn those nerves into standing ovations? Let’s dive right in!

Key Takeaways

Building rapport in public speaking is essential for creating a connection with the audience, and it can be achieved through techniques like using humor, sharing personal stories , and employing inclusive language.
Establishing a connection with the audience involves treating them as partners and engaging in dialogue to enhance understanding. Shared experiences and views help build trust and foster fruitful discussions.
Using humor in public speaking generates a positive effect by making the speaker more likable and relatable. Tailor your humorous remarks to suit the sensitivities of your audience for effective communication.
Sharing personal stories creates an emotional connection with the audience, making them feel involved in your journey. Authentic storytelling humanizes you as a speaker and strengthens engagement in real-time.

Building Rapport in Public Speaking

Building rapport in public speaking involves establishing a connection with the audience, using humor and personal stories to create a bond, conveying warmth through body language, and addressing the audience by name for familiarity.

Establishing a connection with the audience

Creating a strong, tangible bond with your audience is the first critical step in building rapport in public speaking. It’s all about establishing yourself as an ally or partner, someone who’s on the same wavelength as them.

Picture this – you’re not just delivering a speech; you’re engaging in conversation, initiating dialogue and enhancing understanding. Shared experiences and views are fantastic tools for achieving this, allowing speakers to connect with their audiences on a more human level.

This connection fosters trust and leads to fruitful discussions that resonate long after the presentation ends. Therefore, it pays to invest time and effort into developing harmonious bonds while speaking publicly – Your audience will appreciate it!

Using humor to build rapport

Humor plays a critical role in enhancing public speaking skills. By eliciting laughter, you immediately generate a positive effect, establishing connections with your audience and creating a comfortable environment for interaction.

Humor allows you to demonstrate authenticity and personality while engaging the audience effectively.

Sharing funny personal anecdotes or light-hearted observations often leads to shared experiences, paving the way to building rapport. Not only does humor make you more likable, but it also enhances your leadership qualities by showing openness and relatability.

However, ensure that your humorous remarks are tailored to suit the particular audience’s sensitivities – being mindful of this is pivotal in strengthening relationships through effective communication.

Keep in mind that humor doesn’t always have to start off your speech—it can be utilized at any stage of your presentation for fostering affinity and encouraging active engagement from the listeners.

Sharing personal stories to create a bond with the audience

In the realm of public speaking, personal anecdotes serve as an excellent tool for rapport building. As a speaker, weaving your narrative into your presentation fosters an emotional connection with your audience, making them feel involved in your journey.

This strategic blend of storytelling and relatability humanizes you to listeners, helping dissolve any barrier between the stage and the seats. It’s not just about sharing experiences—it’s about creating shared experiences that make each individual part of something larger.

Key to this trustbuilding process is authenticity; a genuine story resonates more than a fabricated one. Cultivate a bond through engaging narratives steeped in truth and watch as every nod from the crowd signals deeper engagement in real-time—a testament to successful communication skills harnessed effectively.

Using body language to convey warmth and openness

In the world of public speaking, body language is a powerful tool that can help you establish rapport and connect with your audience. By using the right nonverbal cues, you can convey warmth and openness, instantly creating a positive atmosphere.

Relaxing your posture and leaning slightly towards the audience shows that you are engaged and truly listening. Mirroring their body language, when appropriate, can also signal that you are on the same wavelength, building trust in the process.

Maintaining good eye contact, using gestures to emphasize key points, and projecting confidence through open and expansive movements all contribute to a memorable presentation. Remember, effective communication goes beyond what we say – it’s about how we say it too.

Addressing the audience by name to create a sense of familiarity

Building rapport with your audience is crucial in public speaking. One effective way to create a sense of familiarity is by addressing the audience by their names. When you take the time to use individuals’ names, it generates a feeling of connection and personalization.

By doing so, you establish not only a professional relationship but also make them feel valued and acknowledged. This simple gesture can go a long way in creating an engaging and supportive environment for both you and your audience.

So remember, whether it’s in a small group or large conference setting, addressing each person by name helps build rapport and encourages active participation from your listeners.

Finding Common Ground with the Audience

To build a strong rapport with your audience, it’s crucial to find common ground and establish a connection. By identifying shared interests, developing relationships, and fostering trust, you can effectively engage the audience and make them feel connected to you as a speaker.

Finding common ground allows you to craft a core message that will resonate with the entire audience. It creates an identification between you and the listeners, making them more receptive to your speech or presentation.

When you connect on familiar ground, whether it’s through shared experiences or mutual interests, it enhances communication and strengthens the overall connection.

Building rapport through finding common ground also requires empathy and understanding towards the audience. By actively listening to their needs and concerns, practicing empathy in your delivery, and setting intentions for your speech that align with their values and beliefs, you can create a sense of unity with your listeners.

Remember that connecting with the audience is not just about delivering information but establishing a genuine human-to-human connection. So take the time to understand who they are as individuals or as a group.

This will help build trust and ensure that your message resonates deeply within them.

By consciously seeking out common ground and demonstrating empathy towards your listeners’ perspectives, you can successfully build rapport in public speaking.

Using Inclusive Language to Make Everyone Feel Welcome

Using inclusive language in public speaking is essential for making everyone in the audience feel welcome and valued. It goes beyond just avoiding offensive or exclusionary terms; it’s about actively incorporating words and phrases that encompass diversity, equality, and respect.

Inclusive language fosters clear communication and creates a safe space where all individuals can feel heard and understood.

When addressing an audience, it’s important to consider using gender-inclusive pronouns such as “they” instead of assuming everyone identifies as male or female. This simple adjustment shows inclusivity towards non-binary individuals and avoids excluding anyone based on their gender identity.

Additionally, when speaking publicly, make an effort to use terms that encapsulate different racial backgrounds, age groups, abilities, and cultures.

Inclusive language helps establish rapport with the entire audience by demonstrating empathy and understanding towards their experiences. By consciously choosing words that are welcoming to everyone present, you create a sense of belonging for all listeners.

Remembering this aspect of public speaking not only improves your connection with the crowd but also sets a positive example for others to follow in creating an inclusive environment through effective communication.

Demonstrating Empathy and Understanding towards the Audience

To build rapport with your audience during public speaking, it is essential to demonstrate empathy and understanding towards them. By showing that you genuinely care about their thoughts, feelings, and needs, you can create a stronger connection.

One way to do this is by acknowledging their perspective and validating their experiences. Sharing personal stories or anecdotes related to the topic can also help create a sense of understanding between you and the audience.

Additionally, using inclusive language and addressing the audience directly by name can make everyone feel welcome and valued. By demonstrating empathy and understanding during your presentation, you are more likely to gain the trust of your audience and establish a positive reputation as a speaker.

1. How important is building rapport in public speaking?

Building rapport is crucial in public speaking as it helps to establish a connection with the audience, gain their trust and attention, and create a positive atmosphere for effective communication.

2. What are some techniques for building rapport with an audience?

Some techniques for building rapport with an audience include maintaining eye contact, using open and welcoming body language, showing genuine interest in the topic and the audience, using humor or personal anecdotes when appropriate, and actively involving the audience through questions or interactive activities.

3. Can building rapport help overcome stage fright or nervousness during public speaking?

Yes, building rapport can help overcome stage fright or nervousness during public speaking by creating a sense of connection and support between the speaker and the audience. When you feel that you have established a positive relationship with your listeners, it can boost your confidence and reduce anxiety.

4. How does storytelling contribute to building rapport in public speaking?

Storytelling is an effective way to build rapport in public speaking because it allows speakers to share personal experiences or relatable stories that resonate with the audience’s emotions and experiences. This creates a sense of familiarity and empathy between the speaker and listeners, enhancing trust and engagement during the presentation.

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Rapport is a connection or relationship with someone else. It can be considered as a state of harmonious understanding with another individual or group. Building rapport is the process of developing that connection with someone else.

Sometimes rapport happens naturally. We have all had experiences where we ‘hit it off’ or ‘get on well’ with somebody else without having to try. This is often how friendships start. However, rapport can also be built and developed consciously by finding common ground, and being empathic.

This page examines rapport and how it can be built, especially when meeting new people.

Understanding Rapport

rapport n . relation: connection: sympathy: emotional bond: spiritualist touch. Fr.

Source: Chambers English Dictionary, 1989 edition.

Rapport, therefore, is basically an emotional connection with other people.

Building rapport is the process of establishing that connection. It is usually based on shared experiences or views, including a shared sense of humour. Building rapport tends to be most important at the start of an acquaintanceship or working relationship. The rapport created, however, can last for many years.

Why Does Rapport Matter?

Rapport is important in both our professional and personal lives.

Employers are more likely to employ somebody who they believe will get on well with their current staff. Personal relationships are easier to make and develop when there is a closer connection and understanding between the parties involved – i.e. there is greater rapport.

When we first meet someone new, we start to try to build rapport. Like it or not, this is why small talk exists: it is a way to try to find things in common with other people and build that shared bond. This bond is important because we all have a tendency to want to be with ‘people like us’.

It is much easier to build rapport with someone who is very like you, or who shares a lot of your interests.

You have shared ground, and things to talk about. You also have a shared frame of reference. This makes both building a relationship, and communicating more generally, much easier.

However, we have probably all found ourselves thinking:

“He/she is lovely, I’m sure, but we really have nothing in common.”

Under those circumstances, working together is likely to be harder, and communication more difficult, because you lack a shared frame of reference. You will need to work harder to build rapport and develop your relationship - but this is still possible .

Break the Ice

For many, starting a conversation with a stranger is a stressful event. We may be lost for words, and awkward with our body language and mannerisms.

Creating rapport at the beginning of a conversation with somebody new will often make the outcome of the conversation more positive. However stressful and/or nervous you may feel, the first thing you need to do is to try to relax and remain calm. By decreasing the tension in the situation communication becomes easier and rapport grows.

When you meet somebody for the first time, there are some easy things that you can do to reduce the tension. This will help both of you to feel more relaxed and communicate more effectively. These include:

Use non-threatening and ‘safe topics’ for initial small talk. Talk about established shared experiences, the weather, how you travelled to where you are. Avoid talking too much about yourself and avoid asking direct questions about the other person.

See How to be Polite for more ideas.

Listen to what the other person is saying and look for shared experiences or circumstances. This will give you more to talk about in the initial stages of communication.

See our page on Active Listening to learn how to listen effectively.

Try to inject an element of humour. Laughing together creates harmony, make a joke about yourself or the situation/circumstances you are in, but avoid making jokes about other people.

See Developing a Sense of Humour for more.

Be conscious of your body language and other non-verbal signals you are sending. Try to maintain eye contact for approximately 60% of the time. Relax and lean slightly towards them to indicate listening, and mirror their body-language if appropriate.

See Non-Verbal Communication for more information.

Show some empathy. Demonstrate that you can see the other person’s point of view. Remember rapport is all about finding similarities and ‘ being on the same wavelength ’ as somebody else. Being empathic will help to achieve this.

See our page What is Empathy? for more information.

Make sure the other person feels included but not interrogated during initial conversations. Just as you may feel tense and uneasy meeting and talking to somebody new, so may they.

Put the other person at their ease. This will enable you to relax and conversation to become more natural.

See our page Conversational Skills for more information.

Non-Verbal Rapport Building

Initial conversations can help us to relax. However, quite a lot of rapport-building happens without words and through non-verbal communication channels.

We create and maintain rapport subconsciously through matching non-verbal signals, including body positioning, body movements, eye contact, facial expressions and tone of voice with the other person.

Watch two friends talking when you get the opportunity and see how they sub-consciously mimic each other’s non-verbal communication.

We create rapport instinctively. It is our natural defence from conflict, which most of us will try hard to avoid most of the time.

It is important to use appropriate body language. We read and instantly believe what body language tells us, whereas we may take more persuading with vocal communication. If there is a mismatch between what we are saying and our body language, then the person we are with will believe the body language. Building rapport, therefore, begins with displaying appropriate body language. This usually means being welcoming, relaxed and open.

As well as paying attention to and matching body language with the person we are with, it also helps to match their words. Reflecting back and clarifying what has been said are useful tactics for repeating what has been communicated by the other person. Not only will it confirm that you are listening but also give you opportunity to use the words and phases of the other person, further emphasising similarity and common ground. (See Reflecting and Clarifying for more information)

The way we use our voice is also important in developing rapport. When we are nervous or tense, we tend to talk more quickly. This in turn can make you sound more stressed. We tend to vary our voices, pitch, volume and pace to make what we are saying more interesting, but it also has an effect on how we come across. Try lowering your tone and talk more slowly and softly. This will actually help you develop rapport more easily.

See our page on Effective Speaking for more information on how your voice can be used to aid communication.

Helpful Rapport Building Behaviours

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.

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 (see our pages: Questioning and Types of Question )

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. (See: What is Empathy? for more)

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 have to 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 . (See: How to be Polite for more information)

Advanced Communication Skills - The Skills You Need Guide to Interpersonal Skills

An Essential Skill

Developing rapport is an essential part of every relationship. Without rapport, you would basically not have a relationship at all!

Being able to build rapport consciously is therefore extremely useful both personally and professionally. As a skill, it means that you can build relationships faster, and improve communication more rapidly. Your working relationships will be more effective, and your personal relationships will be stronger as a result.

Continue to: The Art of Tact and Diplomacy Customer Service Skills

See also: Dealing with Criticism | Being Good Tempered Balancing Politeness and Honesty 7 Key Skills Private Hire Taxi Drivers Need

How to Build Rapport: A Powerful Technique

Learning how to match and mirror others..

Posted April 29, 2015 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader

Knowing how to build rapport is the basis to experience success and fulfillment in life. And yet, it’s amazing to realize how little education and training we get on a set of skills that can make the difference in our lives between happiness and unhappiness.

In fact, without rapport, there is no one interested in the message you want to communicate or the service you want to provide. Without rapport, there is little chance to influence or to persuade others.

Rapport building is at the root of effective communication

Whether you are a salesperson, a supervisor, a teacher or a parent, knowing how to develop rapport is key to your success and performance.

What is a crisis negotiator's priority when dealing with a hostage situation? The response that you almost unanimously get, is: establishing rapport with the hostage-taker. In fact, not being able to do so will put the life of hostages at risk.

I have been working globally in conflict resolution for the past 25 years. Whether I sat down with victims or even with guerrilla leaders or with members of death squads, connecting with my interlocutors has been always my priority. When you work on violent conflicts, knowing how to build rapport is also a matter of safety.

I remember the time I went to see a guerrilla leader in a high-security prison in Colombia. I wanted to explore with him the conditions for cease-fire negotiations between his group and the government. When we met, he was very guarded, almost aggressive. I could tell he didn’t trust me at all. I was coming on behalf of an American academic institution, and he suspected I was affiliated with the CIA. I knew I had to shift his perception, if I wanted to have the chance for an open conversation about the possibility for ceasefire talks.

To produce that shift, I used an Italian technique. He had a small kitchen in his cell, and I suggested I teach him how to make a Bolognese pasta and that we cook together. We did, and we bonded. A few months later, I was one of the facilitators of ceasefire negotiation between the government and the leader's guerrilla group.

You might not have to build rapport with a guerrilla leader, but you certainly encounter individuals you need to bond with—your teenage son, your boss, your colleague, your prospect client, and so on.

So, what are some of the techniques you can implement to increase your capacity to build rapport

One powerful method is to match and mirror the behavior of the other

A few days ago, I went for dinner at a very busy restaurant. While waiting for my meal, I observed the people at nearby tables. A couple caught my attention , and though I could not hear their conversation, I could tell by the language of their bodies that they were moving in unison. They had a great rapport and were having a good time. There was harmony in their movements; it looked like an effortless dance. They were naturally matching and mirroring each others. It was beautiful to watch.

Being in unison is the result of mirroring and matching, and when we sit down with someone we love, it comes natural to us. Acquiring the skill to do so also with people we don’t necessarily have to like, will increase our capacity to create rapport with the other. In other words, matching and mirroring is something we can learn to do deliberately.

Matching and mirroring is the skill of assuming someone else’s style of behavior to create rapport

When you match and mirror, you don’t only listen with your ears, you listen with your entire body. You are present to the other person.

Let’s be clear, matching and mirroring is not mimicry. To the contrary, it’s about being in tune with the other, by using your observations about the other’s behavior. Here are the four things you need to do, to match and mirror your interlocutor:

Body postures and gestures

What posture is the person you are having a conversation with assuming? What is he or she doing with his or her arms and hands? Is the person leaning forward or backward? Observe, and then match the posture and gestures. If, for example, the person is reserved in using the hands, there is no point for you to gesticulate frantically!

The rhythm of the breath

Pay attention to how the other person is breathing, and then match it. This technique helps tremendously in bonding with the other. If the person you are having a conversation with is breathing with her diaphragm, it will not help building rapport if you breath with your upper chest. Instead, match your interolocutor’s rhythm of breath.

The energy level

What is the energy level of your interlocutor? Is he or she shy , reserved or exuberant and extroverted ? If he or she, for example, is timid, it might be perceived as aggressive and invasive if you are exuberant. If your interlocutor uses few words to express a concept, it does not make your communication effective if you are very wordy.

The tone of your voice

What is your interlocutor’s tone of voice? Is he or she talking softly, almost whispering? In that case, to build rapport, you need to mirror his or her tone of voice. Being loud, in fact, will not help establishing a bond with your interlocutor. In addition, pay attention at the speed of the speech. Is your interlocutor speaking slowly or fast?

Paying attention to these four characteristics and mirroring them when communicating with others, helps you with rapport building (By the way, I am currently sending free videos to individuals interested in learning techniques on how to build rapport. Just sign up here for my weekly advice on effective communication ).

Next time you sit down with someone, practice matching and mirroring by paying attention to body posture, breath, energy level and voice of your interlocutors. At first, it might feel awkward and artificial, but with time it will become second nature, and you will experience a powerful improvement in the effectiveness of your communication.

Aldo Civico is a negotiator, mediator, author and speaker, who for the past 25 years has been working globally on conflict resolution and leadership development. He provides training and coaching to organizations and individuals who are interested in upgrading their emotional intelligence and conflict management skills. You can sign up here if you want to receive his weekly practical tips on conflict resolution and emotional intelligence .

Aldo Civico, Ph.D., is an anthropologist and a conflict resolution expert. He is an anthropology professor at Rutgers University and the founder of The International Institute for Peace.

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5 ways to build rapport with your audience

Building a rapport with your audience is one of the most important things you must learn if you wish to give an effective presentation. Ryan Marshall provides a few tips.

I have spent the last two years giving presentations and attending conferences. So I have learnt some easy ways to build the rapport needed. Using these in your future presentations is sure to help you.

1. Get to know the audience

Firstly, arrive early. Spend ten to fifteen minutes introducing yourself to the gathering people. Have a brief talk with them. Who are they? What do they wish to gain by being there today? Or even, what do they do for a living? This is an effective way to put people at ease. You may only speak with 5% of the audience, but they in turn will talk to people there and by word of mouth people almost feel like they know you. This will not only build rapport but help break the ice.

2. Use eye contact

When you begin talking, use eye contact. It is an inbuilt instinct not to trust those who do not look us in the eyes. For example, if you ask a child if it was them who spilt the drink, a guilty child will look away as you ask. If they have nothing to hide they will look you in the eye.

Don’t overdo it, a few seconds is enough. But this will engage the person and again make them feel part of what you are doing.

3. Dress a little more formally than your audience

Dress appropriately. Dress a little more formally than your audience. Doing so establishes your credibility and authority. But do not overdo this.

One thing I have found that helps people relax, is to see you relax. So, for example, after my introduction, which may be a little formal, I take off my tie and undo my top button. Still in shirt and jacket, looking smart but more informal, it gives the impression that the audience is not at school and that they can interact more and become part of your presentation.

4. Tell a story

One thing I always do is to tell a story – one that the audience can relate to and is relevant to the presentation. You can get the audience involved – ask them questions or even use people as props in a skit-type story.

This will again help build rapport and get the audience involved, making them take in what you are telling them without realising it. A very powerful tool if used correctly.

5. Play a game

Finally, and one thing I always do. Before you start your presentation, but after you have welcomed everyone, play a game with the audience. I ask them all to stand, then ask a series of questions related to the presentation. They must be questions with two answers, the funnier the better. Anyone who gets one wrong has to sit down, until you have your winner. This is an instant ice-breaker, gets people smiling, and with well-chosen questions can get the audience’s minds working ready for your presentation.

Remember that a relaxed audience who are enjoying what they are doing are more likely to take in what you are saying than a bored audience! So involve them, put them at ease and do your best to relate to the audience.

And don’t be afraid to have a bit of fun. After all, it’s a presentation, not a court hearing!

Ryan Marshall

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A Presenter’s Guide to Building Audience Rapport

February 2, 2015 / Blog, Presentation Science, Rick Enrico Blog, Tips & Tricks audience, audience rapport, presentation tips

Presenting your audience with creative slides and well-structured content may not be enough to capture their attention for good.

Aside from compelling structure and design, presentations also rely on your ability to connect and communicate well. It’s not enough to know what to do and say, you also need to make sure that the audience is on board with what you’re presenting.

Here are a few things to consider when establishing audience rapport in presentations:

Stop thinking of the audience as a group of faceless individuals

Presentations can be very difficult, and often require speakers to face large groups of people. Presentation trainer, Olivia Mitchell , explains how being in such situations can sometimes trigger a nervous reaction, particularly when we pressure ourselves to do well in front of others.

As such, we sometimes tend to view the audience as a hostile or indifferent group we need to face and overcome. This leads to the stress of presentation anxiety .

But as we’ve mentioned before, the people seated in front of you are interested to hear what you have to say. Be aware of each audience member’s unique viewpoint for you to relate your own ideas well.

Do your research to learn more about the people you’ll be presenting to and you’re guaranteed to feel less anxious and intimidated.

Don’t underestimate the power of eye contact

Can you imagine talking to a friend who can’t look you in the eye? Wouldn’t that feel suspicious? The same is true when delivering presentations.

As the presenter, it’s your job to make sure that the audience trusts what you say. If they don’t think you’re credible, they won’t listen to the message you’re trying to share. Maintaining eye contact is important in that regard.

This, of course, doesn’t mean that you have to look each and every person in the eye. That will be impossible to do, especially if you have a larger audience in front of you.

Just do your best to hold the gaze of particular individuals seated all over the venue. Most VIPs will be seated in the front row, but don’t limit yourself there.

Offer the same courtesy to those seated farther away from where you’re standing.

Get them thinking by asking rhetorical questions

Another secret to audience rapport is making sure that your audience feels included in your presentation.

With interactive media becoming more and more prevalent, people are looking to become part of an experience.

An easy way to do this is by asking a few rhetorical questions throughout your discussion. Andrew Dlugan, speech coach and founder of Six Minutes , suggests a few strategies when asking rhetorical questions.

This includes encouraging the audience to consider their position and think about the subject at hand.

Encourage interaction by involving them in the discussion

If you have time, take the previous tip one step further. Aside from asking rhetorical questions, you can also ask audience members specific questions that will allow them to play a more active role in the discussion.

Allot a few minutes to hear their answers. You can also use special interactive apps to receive their input straight from their own mobile devices.

Regardless of the method you choose, always incorporate audience answers and opinions as you move on with your discussion.

You’ll find that an inclusive performance wields a more nuanced and interesting discussion. To build stronger audience rapport, don’t forget to acknowledge the contributors by name as best as you can.

Establishing audience rapport doesn’t have to be a back-breaking task. For a presenter, it can be the quickest route to meet the goals you’ve set yourself. Keep these tips in mind to make sure your message is delivered successfully.

“ 5 Presentation Tools to Encourage Audience Interaction .” SlideGenius, Inc. . January 12, 2015. Accessed January 23, 2015. Dlugan, Andrew. “ How to Use Rhetorical Questions in Your Speech .” Six Minutes . Accessed February 2, 2015. “ How to Shake Off Your Pre-Presentation Jitters .” SlideGenius, Inc . November 6, 2014. Accessed February 2, 2015. Mitchell, Olivia. “ The Three Causes of Public Speaking Fear (and What You Can Do about Them) .” Speaking about Presenting . Accessed February 2, 2015.

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How To Build Audience Rapport During A Presentation

by Paul A. Slattery NxtGEN EP | Sep 2, 2022 | Presentation Skills

When it comes to delivering a knockout presentation, some presenters seem to effortlessly build audience rapport – they seem to just have ‘it’. They have a certain energy about them – a presence that commands the room and draws the audience in deeper with every word.

You know it when you see and hear it. It’s unmistakable. But what exactly do we mean by ‘it’? Is it charisma? Style? Timing? Body language?

It all boils down to having a good Executive Presence , and a major part of developing your executive presence is understanding how to build a great rapport with your audience.

The good news is that this is a skill that can be learned, so read on for tips on building rapport with any audience and delivering an unforgettable presentation every time.

What do we mean by ‘audience rapport’?

At its core, rapport is all about human connection, mutual understanding and trust.

In the context of delivering a presentation, building rapport means that you understand and value the needs of your audience and respond to those needs accordingly. It is an almost unspoken connection between you and your audience – one built on a mutual understanding of their needs.

Strategies for building audience rapport during a presentation

To build rapport with your audience, you need to keep them at the centre of your content. Seek to understand their goals first, and then align them with yours.

Why is it important for them to hear what you have to say? Knowing this is the key to delivering a presentation that will resonate with them on an emotional level.

Here are ten of the most effective tips for helping you build rapport, and craft and deliver a knockout presentation:

1. Know your audience

The primary goal of any presentation is to engage the audience, and this is virtually impossible if you don’t know anything about them.

Take the time to learn everything you can about your audience so that you can speak to their desires and empathise with their pain points. This way you will be able to not only meet their expectations but exceed them because you can genuinely identify with their issues.

2. Talk to audience members before your presentation begins

If you can, mingle and engage with your audience before the presentation.

This will give you a headstart on creating a connection and building rapport, plus it gives you a valuable opportunity to gauge the mood in the room.

It also has the added benefit of creating a handful of interpersonal associations before you even begin, because the people you’ve already engaged with are no longer just nameless strangers.

How To Build Audience Rapport During A Presentation - NxtGEN Executive Presence (2)

3. Include your audience in the presentation

Another great way to build rapport is to encourage audience participation by asking questions and using analogies that resonate with them.

Make them feel included and part of the presentation by saying ‘you’ as many times as you say ‘I’. Also, be sure to allow a few minutes for questions and feedback at the end so your audience members can see that the rapport you’ve generated with them is genuine and isn’t defined by the confines of your presentation time alone.

4. Dress for the appropriate context

Choose your outfit wisely as this will influence how you are perceived by your audience.

Is it a formal presentation or more casual? Is your audience in the same industry as you, or an entirely different one?

If in doubt, err on the side of caution and go for something smart — it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed!

5. Don’t stare at PowerPoint

Using slides can be a great way to reinforce your message and highlight key themes, but try to avoid reading directly from them throughout your presentation.

To avoid losing the interest of your audience, make eye contact with them, keep your tone and body language natural, and only glance at your slides occasionally.

6. Avoid using acronyms and jargon

It can be tempting to use acronyms to speed things up but bear in mind that not everyone in the audience will be familiar with them.

The same goes for industry jargon – if they don’t fully understand what you’re referring to, you’ll struggle to engage them and your attempts to build rapport will be stifled.

Don’t be afraid to smile and let your personality shine through, as this will make you appear more likeable and trustworthy to your audience.

It can be difficult to remember to smile during a presentation, mostly because people experience incredible nervousness when they are public speaking. But smiling is an extremely effective manner of demonstrating positive body language and can evaporate any perceived chasms between you and your audience.

How To Build Audience Rapport During A Presentation - NxtGEN Executive Presence (3)

8. Avoid offensive language and humour

This one may seem obvious, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that everyone is different and comes from different cultural backgrounds — what one person finds hilarious, another might find inappropriate or downright offensive.

Humour can be a great way to connect with your audience and make them feel at ease but always use your best judgement because any humour in general is very subjective.

If there’s even the slightest chance that what you say could be taken up the wrong way, then just leave it out!

9. Build audience rapport by simply being you

The quickest way to build rapport with your audience is simply to be yourself, so don’t shy away from showing your audience your personality and your unique outlook.

No one wants to attend a presentation that’s being delivered by a robot — they want to feel a sense of connection and recognise genuine empathy from you.

If you find this tough because of your nerves, then tell your audience. Let them know how you’re feeling and you might be surprised by how much better you feel. Empathy is a powerful force and can endear your audience to you, so don’t be afraid to let your guard down a little.

10. Finish early if possible

No matter how much your audience enjoys the presentation, they will appreciate you finishing on time or even a bit early if possible so they can get on with their day!

By no means should you rush to finish your presentation, but concluding a little earlier than expected is always appreciated by audiences and also allows for a little more informal chat post-presentation.

It’s always good to leave them wanting more!

Expand your skills and deliver unforgettable presentations

At NxtGEN Executive Presence, we are here to empower your capabilities in the corporate environment.

Our Executive Presentation Skills training can provide you with all the tools and training you need to become a master at connecting with any audience.

Once you’re armed with the knowledge and practical experience you need, you will be able to build rapport, communicate through compelling corporate narratives , turn raw data into actionable insights , and influence those around you.

Get in touch with us today to develop your leadership skills, and don’t forget to check out our blog and resources for more industry-leading trends and insights.

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Clients will appreciate his enjoyment of teaching, clear tone and his passion for technology. He will devotedly discuss the impact of digital transformation with business leaders across the Enterprise and Public sector segments.

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Based in Dublin, Ireland, Paul A. Slattery is one of only five Certified Master Instructors (iCMI) for iSpeak and the only one in Europe. Paul is an Expert Facilitator in University College Dublin (UCD) Smurfit Graduate Business School, where he delivers a unique team-based presentations skills class to the MBA Students on the Leadership Development Programme. He is also Programme Director with UCD Smurfit Executive Development, where he delivers the Communication and Executive Presence short programme. Today Paul is a Former Fellow of the Sales Institute of Ireland, the Institute of Directors in Ireland and the Irish Institute of Training and Development.

Paul’s career started as a CATV engineer and project manager however he has gained an impeccable sales record over the past twenty-five years of strategic sales, business development and management experience Internationally. Holding positions as Account Executive, Account Director, Global Account Director, Regional Sales Director and Country Manager within the technology sector. He has successfully fronted two international telecom entrants in the Irish market in the past fifteen years.

Paul has been running his own successful business in Ireland since March 2004. Providing executive educational services, executive mentoring and coaching, management training workshops, as well as motivational seminars and keynote speeches internationally. His professional qualifications include: IBAT Dip in Psychology, IBAT College Dublin, Successful Case Teaching Accredited by The Case Centre, Cranfield University, UK, iSpeak Certified Master Instructor Accredited by iSpeak, Austin, Tx, USA, DIT Diploma in Management Accredited by The Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) in Ireland, SII/ICM Diploma in Sales Coaching Accredited by The Sales Institute of Ireland and Institute of Commercial Management (UK) and Certificate in Training and Development Accredited by Irish Institute of Training and Development.

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Ilaria lives and works to help people tell their stories. She specialises in Business Communications, Negotiation Techniques, and Professional Development Strategies. She has over 15 years of experience working in multicultural environments. During the past eight years, she’s been teaching training programmes and offering coaching services across a variety of industries in Ireland and abroad.

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10 ways to build rapport when presenting

Have you ever sat in a presentation nodding along to the presenter, feeling as though they are talking directly to you?

You hang onto their every word and feel like this could be the beginning of a great professional relationship, maybe even friendship?

Some presenters are naturals when it comes to building rapport with their audience. They have a natural presence, a really good energy that the audience picks up on and reacts positively to.

Others may struggle in this area.

The good news is that anyone can build rapport when presenting, it just takes a bit of time. We share below our top 10 tips to help you build rapport the next time you give a presentation.

Firstly, what exactly is rapport?

Wikipedia states that:

Rapport is a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned are “in sync” with each other, understand each other’s feelings or ideas, and communicate smoothly.

Tony Robbins sums it up in the following quote:

“Rapport is the ability to enter someone else’s world, to make him feel that you understand him, that you have a strong common bond.”

So, how do you do this in a presentation in front of a group of people?

When you give a presentation you not only need to understand your audiences’ needs, but also value them.

You must understand what makes your audience tick, why they need to hear what you have to say, what their challenges or pain points are, and why you know how they feel.

Why is rapport important when giving a presentation or talk?

Essentially rapport creates trust between you and the audience. It increases your likeability, therefore potentially increasing the audiences’ engagement, making it an enjoyable experience for everyone!

Building rapport helps you to connect with the audience at a human level – you are demonstrating that you understand them, that you are forming a common bond with them.

How to build rapport

1. be yourself.

Possibly the most important tip when presenting is to be yourself ! The audience will be able to tell straightaway whether you are pretending to take an interest in them or are genuinely trying to connect with them.

2. Research the audience

As with any presentation we always advise you to research your audience beforehand. This helps build rapport as you can then speak to them in their terms. It also demonstrates to them that you have done your homework, that you have taken the time and effort to get to know them and understand their needs.

3. Talk and listen to people before your presentation begins

Engage with the audience before you give the presentation. Mingle with them and engage in small talk as they are grabbing a quick cup of coffee before sitting down. This will not only help you create more of a connection with them, but will also give you the opportunity to gauge the atmosphere and change your energy levels if needed.

Sometimes, you pick up invaluable information during the small talk that you can refer to during your presentation (without breaching confidence) – this really helps hugely to build the connection.

4. Remember to smile

Smiling genuinely at the audience will have them warming to you straightaway. There is no need to smile continuously throughout your presentation – this can look a bit creepy and also rather fake! Smiling at the beginning, the end and anywhere else that is appropriate is sufficient.

Added bonus to smiling – it is the cheapest way to improve your looks and make you feel happier.

5. Include the audience, if appropriate

Try to make the audience feel as though they are part of the presentation. Remember your “I to you” ratio. You should say the word “you” at least as many times as you say the word “I”. It makes the audience feel more a part of what you are saying.

Get them involved by asking questions, these can be rhetorical or ones that enable them to contribute. Consider using analogies – if you use ones that resonate with them, they can be a brilliant way to create a more meaningful connection.

6. Dress appropriately

How you dress will impact on building a rapport with the audience. First impressions count and by researching your audience you should have a good idea of what “appropriate” is for the occasion.

Sometimes this can be a struggle to get the balance between what is appropriate for your industry and what is appropriate for the audience – who may be in an entirely different industry.

For example, if you are in the world of IT, you may be used to wearing jeans (maybe even ripped ones!) and a t-shirt. However, if you are presenting to those in the legal world, where a full suit and tie might be more appropriate – what do you do? We would suggest a crisp white shirt, a pair of smart denims and maybe a tailored or sports jacket.

We would suggest overdressing rather than underdressing (a jacket or tie can quickly be removed), and don’t forget about clean shoes ….

7. Talk to them not PowerPoint

Sounds obvious right? You would be surprised at how many presenters stand to the side of the screen looking at the slides whilst talking! That is not the way to build rapport! Remember that people have come to hear and see you , not your slides!

8. Avoid TLAs (three letter acronyms)

It is tempting to use abbreviations and acronyms when giving a presentation, this can be seen as laziness on your behalf.

Worse than this, it could be a case that the audience do not understand your acronym or have a different meaning for it. For example, if I use the two lettered acronym EP – I am relating to Executive Presence. However, to someone else it could mean European Parliament, or for festival lovers it could mean Electric Picnic! So avoid acronyms at all costs if you want to maintain rapport with your audience.

9. Avoid using offensive humour or language

This tip is self-explanatory! What you might think is an innocent joke could cause offense to members of your audience. If you want to use humour as a way of building rapport use with caution and be aware of your audience.

10. Start on time and finish on time (or even early!)

Your audience probably have other plans straight after your presentation – if you speak over your allowed time, you are being disrespectful to the audience and could annoy a few of them.

By following the tips above and taking a genuine interest in your audience, you will soon build a rapport with them, increasing their engagement and making strong connections.

If you would like to know more tips on building rapport and creating a connection with the audience, you might be interested in attending our 1-day Presentation Skills Masterclass . The above is just one of the topics we cover on the day.

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How to build rapport: 6 tactics to build strong relationships

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What is rapport?

6 tactics on how to build rapport

3 reasons why rapport is important

9 example phrases to help build rapport

4 ways to encourage your employees to build rapport

When it comes to building strong relationships , rapport matters.

Have you ever walked away from a conversation and felt instantly connected to the other person? Maybe it felt natural and easy. You might have felt you really hit it off or clicked with this person. It’s likely that’s because you were able to build rapport quickly.

But building rapport isn’t always instantaneous. Like any other relationship, building rapport in a professional setting can take extra work and intention.

Depending on the nature of your role, you might lean on rapport and relationships quite heavily. In this article, we’ll talk about what it means to have a rapport with another person. We’ll also walk through a step-by-step guide on how to build rapport.

What is rapport?

First, let’s understand how rapport is defined. Rapport is defined as a friendly, harmonious relationship. There’s mutual agreement, understanding, and empathy that makes the communication flow well.

Once you have built good rapport, there is an implicit assumption of positive intent between both people that makes your interactions easier.

According to researchers Linda Tickle-Degnen and Robert Rosenthal , rapport requires necessary components to be present in a relationship.

Mutual attentiveness
Positivity
Coordination

These three elements are what make the dynamic structure of rapport — and they are all intriguing because they’re nonverbal.

6 tactics on how to build rapport

When it comes to building rapport, there are steps you can take to strengthen your relationships.

How to build rapport

Make a good introduction
Actively listen
Ask engaging questions
Be aware of your body language
Find commonalities
Lead with empathy and respect

1. Make a good introduction

Making a good first impression starts with the small things. For example, this could be a firm handshake and a smile. It could be maintaining solid eye contact and remembering the person’s name.

Your first impression will set the tone for the rest of the conversation. Eventually, the respect and communication you build with the other person. Be aware of how you’re showing up in this first impression moment.

2. Actively listen

Have you ever been in a conversation where you’re constantly interrupted? Or, perhaps someone continues to talk over another person in conversation? It’s not a pleasant experience. And if you’re meeting someone for the first time, it can leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Make sure you’re putting on your listening ears. Be an active listener and pay close attention to the conversation. To be able to engage in the conversation meaningfully, you’ll need to adopt good listening skills .

3. Ask engaging questions

We’ve all been in those one-sided conversations. When conversations are lopsided, it makes for bad connections. That’s why asking engaging and thoughtful questions is so important.

To do this, think about the core of what you’d like to know about this person. What are you hoping to learn? What sort of questions will allow you to set a strong foundation for a relationship? What are your goals ? Are you showing your interest in the other person as a whole person?

Once you’ve identified what you’d like to get out of the conversation, you can form the appropriate questions to match. Make sure you’re actively engaged, talk less and listen more to their answers rather than planning out your next question.

4. Be aware of your body language

Your nonverbal communication is just as important as your verbal communication. Your nonverbal cues are central to building rapport. This includes things like posture, eye contact, facial expressions, and being aware of distractions.

If someone is constantly checking their phone or looking away during a conversation, it can send a message that they’re not interested. Or if someone isn’t making consistent eye contact, it can feel like they aren’t being genuine or attentively listening.

5. Find common ground

I was at a wedding this past weekend. I was meeting a lot of people for the first time, many of whom were from other parts of the country and the world.

At first, I wasn’t sure what I’d have in common with some of the other wedding guests. But I asked questions and engaged in deeper conversations, I found more commonalities than I originally anticipated.

For example, I met a woman from France. She was a friend of the bride, and I was a friend of the groom. She had met the couple while living in Austin, Texas but she’s soon moving back to Europe with her husband. When I told her where I was from, we found out that her husband is also from my small hometown in Ohio. We also discovered we both enjoy yoga and she’s recently taken up a meditation practice .

Moral of the story: don’t judge a book by its cover. It can be easy to assume you don’t have anything in common with someone based on first or second sentence introductions. But as you get to know the person better, you’ll find some sort of shared experience, characteristic, or perspective.

6. Lead with empathy and respect

A strong, healthy relationship is built on empathy and respect . Empathy and respect are key components to building trust . This last and final step is more of a foundational element to string through in all of your interpersonal interactions.

Lead with empathy and a sincere desire to understand and get to know the other person. Beyond empathy, lead with respect. Treat the other person as you would like to be treated. By doing so, you’ll be better positioned to build rapport more effectively.

3 reasons why rapport is important

Rapport is important for a few reasons. Let’s walk through three key reasons why you should invest in building rapport with others.

It establishes trust

Trust is a critical element of any long-lasting relationship. Without trust, it’s hard to maintain a meaningful and lasting relationship.

This is true for personal relationships but also for professional relationships. For example, if you’re looking to get promoted into a new management role , your boss needs to trust you. They need to trust that you’re going to do your job well. They need to understand your commitment to developing strong leadership characteristics .

Likewise for personal relationships, too. If you’re building a new friendship , you want to be able to trust your friend. In order to be vulnerable with a friend, you need to have established trust .

It can help improve your business performance

Depending on your career, your livelihood could depend on building rapport. And rapport can help you improve your performance at work . Let’s take folks who work in sales as an example.

Consider Greta: As a salesperson for a tech company, her salary structure is heavily weighted on how much business she brings into the organization. Her compensation is commission-based, which means she has to perform well to support her lifestyle.

But Greta is new to sales. Maybe she recently pivoted from a field that wasn’t so people- or social- heavy. She has been trying hard to sell but hasn’t spent much time building rapport with potential clients. As a result, her book of business has suffered.

Data shows that salespeople who spend more time building rapport perform better. Building rapport can be the difference-maker for performing well in your career.

how-to-build-rapport-woman-smiling-at-laptop

It strengthens your social connections

Science tells us that social interactions are a critical part of overall health, happiness, and longevity. But strong social connections simply aren’t possible without some element of rapport.

If you don’t invest in your social health , your physical health can actually suffer. In fact, data tells us that folk with low social connections experience more chronic diseases, like cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders, and high blood pressure.

It can also lead to increased mental health problems , like anxiety , depression , and even suicide. Low social and emotional health also increases risk factors for health problems. Loneliness can make you more likely to suffer from stress, inflammation, and even high blood sugar.

9 example phrases to help build rapport

So, you’re ready to start investing in your relationships. But you might not know where to start. We’ve compiled nine example phrases to help build rapport.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
What’s something you’re really proud of?
What’s something that most people don’t know about you?
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
What’s one book you always come back to or re-read?
How’s your day going?
What’s something new you’ve learned recently?
What’s one problem in your work that you wish you could solve tomorrow?
What are you looking for in _______?

Now, let’s put that into context with some examples.

Maria is a mentor to Bridget. Bridget has worked at her company for a couple of years but she hasn’t been promoted and she hasn’t explored a new role. She’s antsy to find something that challenges her but she’s not sure what direction to take her career. In a coffee chat with Maria, she asks her, “What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?”

Or let’s take Bob. Bob recently connected with Florence. He’s learned that Florence has recently moved to a new city. Florence also decided to pivot her career entirely to a new field. And while Florence is still establishing connections with people, Bob can tell Florence is eager to learn. In a conversation about what they’ve read recently, Bob asks, “What’s one book you would read over and over again?”

how-to-build-rapport-people-collaborating-at-work

Finally, let’s look at James. James is a new leader on your team. He’s recently been hired from another organization, so you’re getting a new boss. James is doing one-on-one meetings with each of his direct reports, including you. You want to make a good impression on James.

But you also want to learn more about him, his leadership style , and his expectations for you. While talking about his goals for the team, you ask him, “What’s one problem in our work that you wish you could solve tomorrow?”

If you’re a leader at your organization, you may be looking for ways to encourage your employees to build rapport. After all, rapport is a critical component of overall business success.

But it also plays a big role in the employee experience . The relationships between colleagues and managers have a big impact on things like retention , employee satisfaction, and employee engagement .

Here are four ways to encourage your employees to build rapport with one another:

Facilitate coffee chats or informal meet-and-greets between employees. At BetterUp, we’re big fans of coffee chats. They’re quick, simple, and easy conversations that can happen between any two employees. And oftentimes, they’re not always work-related. Encourage your employees to get to know each other on a personal and professional level.
Invest in the employee experience . Does your organization host virtual or in-person events that allow for social connection? Does your company invest in things like clubs, volunteer activities, or team-building events? How are you creating company-hosted activities to help create rapport-building starters?
Encourage professional development around social connections. Create avenues for professional learning that focus on ways to build rapport. I’ve worked at organizations that host workshops focused on building relationships.
Provide access to coaching. Personalized coaching can help support your employees’ communication skills . And building effective communication skills goes hand-in-hand with building rapport. With virtual coaching , empower your employees to take charge of their development. With BetterUp, your employees can focus on skill sets like rapport and communication to help create more meaningful relationships.

Start building rapport today

Good rapport often starts with small talk. But soon, you break the ice. And it develops into a meaningful conversation chock-full of open-ended questions that engage and build great relationships.

At the heart of building rapport is great interpersonal skills. Folks need to have a keen sense of their emotional intelligence . They need to ask great follow-up questions and listen attentively. And they need to be intentional about building mutual trust.

Whether you’re looking to influence people or invest in your working relationships, BetterUp can help. Your coach will get to know you on a personal level. Your coach will also help you develop the interpersonal skills you need to invest in building rapport.

Elevate your communication skills

Unlock the power of clear and persuasive communication. Our coaches can guide you to build strong relationships and succeed in both personal and professional life.

Madeline Miles

Madeline is a writer, communicator, and storyteller who is passionate about using words to help drive positive change. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) — and enjoys poetry and fiction.

How to ask open-ended questions

A how-to guide for building an effective operating model, why building great work relationships is more than just getting along, relationship-building skills examples to practice at work, find out how to build a network from scratch, how to build agile teams with the right workforce development strategy, build real self-confidence: these tips get beneath the surface, 5 steps to build a financial foundation for the future, here’s how to build a sense of belonging in the workplace, similar articles, 5 types of feedback that make a difference (and how to use them), the only guide you need to prepare for your career coaching session, how to build trust in the workplace: 10 effective solutions, 50 deep questions to ask to build strong bonds, your workforce is lonely. it’s hurting your business., how to quit your job professionally: 6 tips for resigning, 6 winning strategies to improve team dynamics, talk less, listen more: 6 reasons it pays to learn the art, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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6 ways to build rapport and develop meaningful relationships

Rapport is an essential soft skill to help you build trust, establish effective communication, and develop great relationships with your team members. In this article, we walk you through 6 tips to break the ice and build rapport.

Everyone wants a good relationship with the people they work with. But building a healthy level of camaraderie, rapport, and comfortable conversations takes effort.

Sometimes, it seems like people are just born with this skill. And it’s true that some people are naturally good at building rapport. But even if you struggle with small talk and aren’t skilled at building relationships, you can still develop rapport. Like any soft skill, it’s one you can learn to master. Here’s how to get started.

What is rapport in the workplace?

Rapport is the foundation of a meaningful relationship between two people. When you’re good at building rapport, you’re practiced at establishing a connection between yourself and someone else. Good rapport can make the other person feel respected, heard, and seen. It’s a great way to understand another person’s needs and support them.

Building rapport is about driving a meaningful connection between you and another person. It isn’t enough to feign interest—instead, practice openness and honesty in order to establish mutual trust.

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Benefits of building rapport in the workplace

Build mutual trust

Make team members feel more engaged

Boost team loyalty

Build good group dynamics

Feel more “in sync” with the other person

Develop effective workplace communication

Who should build workplace rapport?

Building rapport helps you quickly establish great relationships, regardless of your position at your company. Rapport is the foundation of great workplace relationships because it facilitates collaboration, unlocks mutual trust, and enhances your communication skills.

While rapport building is a good skill for any team member, it’s particularly important for customer-facing roles and team members in leadership positions.

Building rapport with your customers

As a salesperson, it’s critical to build rapport with your customers. In order to effectively sell to customers, you must understand their needs and wants. When you build rapport as a salesperson, you’re focusing on genuinely understanding the customer’s needs so you can effectively support them. Keep in mind that building rapport with customers is about developing a long-term relationship, so avoid using this technique as a quick way to land a deal.

Building rapport with your clients

Once a customer becomes a client, it is still important to continue building rapport so you understand their needs—especially as those needs change. Rapport helps you understand how your customers are using your products and services.

For example, imagine a customer you’ve been working with for a while tells you they’re going to cancel your service. If you have rapport built up with them, you can work to understand where this churn risk is coming from and what you can do to support them. That could mean reducing the number of seats they’ve purchased or helping them downgrade to a lower tier of service, instead of churning completely.

Building rapport with your direct reports

To be the best manager possible, you also need to build rapport with your direct reports. That way, you can understand their goals in order to best support them—not just in the day to day, but also as their career progresses.

Building rapport with your coworkers and team members

You should also take time to build rapport with your coworkers and team members. Closeness with team members prevents burnout and impostor syndrome . It makes the workplace more enjoyable for you—and for them.

6 ways to build rapport and break the ice

Attempting to build rapport can feel intimidating, especially if you aren’t someone who loves small talk. But part of building rapport is playing to your strengths and using your personality to forge a true connection.

1. First, understand yourself

The first thing to do, before you even begin a conversation, is to focus on yourself. Building rapport isn’t about faking it. You don’t have to be the most outgoing or extroverted person in order to build this skill. Anyone can build rapport, regardless of your communication skills.

By identifying your strengths and weaknesses, you can effectively use them during future conversations. For example, say you don’t think you’re very good at small talk. That’s okay! Instead of engaging in small talk, try to engage new acquaintances with deeper conversations. Ask them about their pets, or their work history. These are still simple questions, but they go beyond the surface and help you begin to understand your team members on a deeper level.

Alternatively, if you’re introverted, you might get tired at networking events or crowded situations. That’s fine, too. Prioritize 1:1s, coffee conversations, or even short watercooler chats with an individual. Lean into your strengths instead of forcing yourself to attend networking event after networking event.

2. Practice active listening

Listening plays a key role in building rapport. Active listening, or listening to understand, is the practice of focusing on what the other person is saying—instead of thinking about what you're going to say next.

Active listening is a great way to build meaningful connections and invest in deeper conversations. When you’re paying full attention to the other person, instead of thinking about your own thoughts, you’re more invested in what they have to say. Not only does that help you understand them on a deeper level, but your listening skills also make them feel more comfortable and heard when they’re around you.

3. Use positive body language

Almost equally important to how you listen is how you look while you’re listening. Even if you’re paying attention, distracted or disinterested nonverbal communication can unintentionally put people off. During a conversation, check in with your facial expressions and body language. Are your arms crossed? Are you making eye contact? These small things make a big difference.

In particular, make sure to:

Make encouraging sounds and gestures

Make eye contact

4. Look for commonalities

One of the easiest ways to build rapport is to look for similarities between you and someone else. Do you have any shared interests? A similar past? Oftentimes, it’s much easier to forge a connection with someone when you have something in common. You can use that common ground as a jumping off point to a deeper conversation.

You can often do this by paying attention to the other person. For example, you might notice a coworker wearing a sweatshirt from their college or displaying a picture of their kids on their desk. Maybe you heard they have a similar work history to you, or you both love cats. Try to find something you have in common with that person to serve as the foundation of your deeper connection.

5. Grow your empathy

Even if you don’t have a lot in common with the other person, use empathy and curiosity to build rapport. Part of this is focusing on the other person’s needs, and how you can help them.

For example, is the other person new to the office? Maybe they need a friend. Did they have a bad day at work? Ask them if they want to grab coffee and chat, if you think that would help. Remember, building rapport is about making a connection with another person, and you can do this effectively by tapping into your emotional intelligence.

6. Ask open-ended questions

If you can’t find anything in common, use open ended questions to allow the other person to share their passions. Open-ended questions prompt the other person to share more about their past. You can use open-ended questions for any topic. For example, instead of asking “How long have you been working in marketing?”, which has a one sentence answer, try “How did you get started with marketing?” You’re asking about the same thing, but prompting the person to share more about their past.

For more open-ended question ideas, read our article on 110+ icebreaker questions for team building .

Build great rapport to develop meaningful working relationships

Good rapport improves your working relationships and makes you a better communicator. But like most soft skills, building rapport is an ongoing process. Think of this less like a skill to check off a list and more like a set of mannerisms and practices you can build over time.

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15 types of employee performance reviews

Effective presentations: Building rapport to motivate change

Photograph of two people looking at a Surface Book

In business, face-to-face communication is one of the richest, most effective forms of communication. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a one-on-one conversation or a one-to-many presentation.

The problem is that we often forget about the very people we are talking to, our audience. We fail to address their needs or to understand the situation they are in before we try and persuade them to act on our message.

If you look at the majority of presentations , the content is presenter centric. The speaker talks about how good they are, shows off all the data they have, and how much growth the organisation has had.

This kind of approach instantly alienates your audience. They are left thinking, but what about me? Why is that important? How will my world be affected as a result? In a nutshell, why should they care?

Thanks to the digital world we live in, our audiences’ needs and demands are constantly changing, which is what makes communicating so hard! In general, people want a more personalised approach, a more  intelligent approach and that is why it’s crucial to put your audience and their needs first.

I live by the following tips to help put your audience first:

Be clear on what your point of view is as a speaker. If your audience only takes away one point from what you are saying, what do you want that to be?
Do your homework and actually research the people in the room – why are they there? What challenges are they facing? How can you help them?

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4. Share common ground by using stories, case studies, facts and emotion to engage and relate with the people listening to you.

5. Be humble, authentic and sincere. Show a weaker side and your audience will really feel like you are in the same situation as them.

6. Make it emotional. You might need to wake a few people up – scare them into action or excite them into changing the status quo.

7. Resist the temptation to just read from slides and talk profit. Remember, you are connecting human to human.

8. Don’t drag it out. Be clear and to the point.

Above all else, remember to invest the time in your audience and they will invest their time in you. That’s when you’ll create a winning presentation.

About the author

As the founder and CEO of Presentation Studio, Emma leads the team to create presentations that are influential, memorable and successful. Emma and her team can help you stand out so that your audience understands your message. She can help your presentations have impact and influence. This means the right messages are more memorable for your audience. Emma achieves this through content writing, visual communication, and strong presentation delivery.

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Rapport-Building Questions: 68 Memorable Questions for Establishing Rapport with Customers

Published: February 01, 2023

Asking generic questions during customer calls makes building true rapport difficult.

rapport questions: person writing notes on what questions to ask and then using that knowledge to build rapport with her coworker

More specific rapport-building questions can help you establish a relationship with your customer. You can then align your behavior with the customer's needs.

However, knowing what to ask can be tricky. To master this skill, check out the list of questions below. But first, let's explore the basics of building strong customer rapport.

Table of Contents

What is customer support?

What are rapport-building questions?

How to build rapport with customers, building rapport in customer service, examples of rapport-building questions, what is customer rapport.

Rapport is getting to know someone by making a connection that's beyond the surface level. It's a state of understanding that you develop with another individual or group other than your own. Both definitions are very important to consider in business relationships as well as customer interactions.

Rapport has to be earned and built. It takes time, but when you ask the right questions, a professional and profitable client relationship is made.

Rapport-building questions connect people on a personal level. These questions evoke unique, memorable, and appropriate answers, kicking off a conversation.

These are more engaging than surface-level questions that may prompt a short back-and-forth but won't lead to a meaningful connection.

Anatomy of a Memorable Rapport-Building Question

An effective rapport-building question meets three criteria:

Personalized. People tend to blow off questions like "What's the weather like?" or "Got any fun plans for the summer?" because these could be asked to anyone. If you ask a highly specific question, however, you'll show you're actually interested in the answer (and by association, the customer).
Unique. Your question should be a little unexpected. By catching the person off-guard, you'll get a more honest answer. Remember: Honesty breeds intimacy .
Appropriate. Even though your question should be surprising, it shouldn't be surprising in a bad way. Avoid anything that could be seen as nosy or out-of-bounds. For example, if the customer says, "I just got back from a conference in Atlantic City," don't reply, "Nice! Did you get a chance to party?"

Benefits of Building Customer Rapport

Your company is going to make mistakes — every company does. But if your relationship with your customers is strong, they'll be less likely to turn to your competitors.

The more successful you are in building customer rapport, the lower your churn rate, and the higher your profitability will be.

Customer rapport can also help with lead acquisition. In fact, 70% of customers are willing to pay more for a guaranteed good experience.

If your business develops a reputation of delighting customers, you'll be more attractive to prospects.

Personalize your customer service.
Align with the customer goals and needs.
Obtain customer feedback.
Provide proactive customer service.
Create a customer success department.
Develop an onboarding process.

1. Personalize your customer service.

"Hi there, thank you for reaching out to support. Can I assist you?"

Not the most enthusiastic introduction, right? Cookie-cutter customer service like this doesn't leave an impression on your customers. They want a personalized experience that feels one of a kind.

Try something like, "Hi [customer name], thanks for reaching out to the [your business name] support team. What are we working on today?"

Use the customer's first name, and proudly introduce yourself as a representative of your business. These changes are subtle, but they personalize the experience.

You can also invest in personalization tools that will automate this process for digital communication.

2. Align with the customer's goals and needs.

Customer service interactions are notorious for generating a competitive environment between the customer and the company.

In the past, businesses had a tactical advantage and could easily exploit customers.

Now, customers are on the same playing field. What's more, customers are dubious of marketing and customer service functions.

If you want to avoid this animosity, you need to show your customers that you're dedicated to solving their problems and helping them achieve their goals.

One way to do this is by creating an omnichannel support experience . Offering multiple communication channels for support demonstrates a genuine investment in customer success .

3. Obtain customer feedback.

If you ignore customer feedback, then your communication becomes one-dimensional.

Why would customers ever trust your business if they know their needs and opinions aren't being considered?

Instead, you should be enamored with customer feedback and want to obtain as much of it as possible. Not only will customers feel like their voice is being heard but it will also present you with opportunities to upsell and prevent churn.

For example, when customers leave a positive review, you can offer them an upgrade or add-on that will improve their long-term experience.

Since the customer has a history of success with your business, they'll be more likely to purchase an additional product.

4. Provide proactive customer service.

Don't wait until your customers have problems before you get involved.

Instead, interact with them beforehand and clear roadblocks before they impede the customer's workflow. This shows customers you're actively keeping their best interests at heart.

You can implement proactive customer service by creating support options that customers can use on their own.

These self-service support tools include features like knowledge bases , email newsletters, and automation tools that streamline the service process.

5. Create a customer success department.

If you want to truly demonstrate your dedication to customer goals, you'll need to adopt a customer success department that ensures that all customers achieve their goals when using your product or service.

Customer success programs decrease acquisition costs and improve customer retention rates.

When it comes to churn, 35% of customer success leaders rank ongoing customer service programs as more important than product offerings.

Not only do these programs build customer rapport but they also provide your business with a measurable return on its investment.

6. Develop an onboarding process.

In SaaS businesses, new customers tend to struggle the most with the product.

Learning to use new software isn't easy, and this can be frustrating for customers who are looking for immediate solutions.

Onboarding processes reduce this stress for customers and help them get the most from your product right away.

By including an onboarding process as part of the customer journey , you can make sure customers don't abandon your company early on.

This builds rapport with customers. They'll recognize your proactive effort to bring them up to speed.

Customer rapport is built through developing a trustworthy relationship between the company and the customer. Service reps strengthen that relationship by generating delightful service interactions that enhance the customer experience. Customer rapport improves customer loyalty, leading to an increase in sales for the business.

If you haven't spoken to a customer and you're looking to build rapport, we recommend starting with "icebreaker questions" — those lighthearted, easy-to-answer questions that help strangers get to know each other under friendly circumstances.

A good rule of thumb for initially establishing rapport? Focus on icebreaker questions inspired by LinkedIn, such as questions about the customer's location, career, and education.

Once the relationship has progressed, you can ask the customer more personal questions to foster deeper connections and open up opportunities for mutual sharing.

Here are some questions that build rapport and initiate stimulating conversations with customers.

Location Questions

sales rapport building questions: If I had the opportunity to pass through [city/state], what would be your top recommendations?

1. Is it true what they say about living in [city/state]? (For example, "Is it true what they say about living in L.A.? Are the freeways essentially parking lots?") 2. Since you live in [city/state], do you go to [local attraction] all the time? 3. I have such good memories of [city/state]. I visited when I was [X years old] and absolutely loved [destination/feature]. What do you think about [destination/feature]? 4. If I had the opportunity to pass through [city/state], what would be your top recommendations? 5. Is [city/state] a good location for [customer's industry/company/profession]? 6. I've heard [nearby restaurant/city/state] has amazing [food item]. Does it deserve the hype? 7. What's your commute like? Do you drive, take public transit, or bike? 8. What brought you to [city/state]? 9. What's something most people don't realize about [city/state]? 10. Are there a lot of companies in [customer's industry] in [city/state], or are you guys fairly unique? 11. Is [city/state] where your company is located, or do you work remotely? 12. When's the best time of year to visit [city/state]?

Job and Career Questions

13. My [niece/son/grandchild] wants to become a [profession]. Do you have any advice I should pass on?

14. I saw you used to work in [different field/profession/industry]. How was the transition?

15. Do you go to [well-known industry event]? Why/why not?

16. You tweeted about going to [conference] — have you been before? I'm debating whether or not to go, and I'd love to hear your thoughts.

17. My friend used to work at [current or former company]. Do you know [name]? What was it like working there?

18. As a rep for [company], I talk to a lot of people in [customer's profession], but you're the first I've met who's ever majored in [unexpected major]! How'd that happen?

19. I read on your LinkedIn that you spoke at [event] — really impressive. Do you have any future speaking events lined up?

20. I noticed you have your [certification]. What was the process of getting that like?

21. On your LinkedIn profile, you listed [unusual skill] under your skills. How often does that come in handy?

22. You're fluent in [second language], right? Wow! Do you travel to [country] fairly often? Do you use [language] in your work? Is there a third language in your future?

23. Many of my clients in [customer's role] tell me [X detail about job]. Has that held true in your experience?

24. I'd love to learn more about [customer's role]. Are there any resources you'd recommend?

25. My [niece/son/grandchild] wants to become a [profession]. Are there any subjects you'd suggest majoring in?

26. What job would you want if you weren't a [customer's profession]?

27. Have you always wanted to work in [customer's field]?

School and Interest Questions

sales rapport building questions: I noticed on LinkedIn that you help out with [organization]. How'd you get started with that?

28. You're an alum of [college]! My friend graduated from [college] in [year]. They said it was really [details]… (Or, "I've never met anyone who went to [college] before! What was it like? Would you recommend applying?")

29. I noticed on LinkedIn that you help out with [organization]. How'd you get started with that?

30. I saw on Twitter that you're a massive [sport] fan. Are you looking forward to [related event]?

31. In your LinkedIn summary, you mention loving [activity]. How long have you been doing that?

32. While I was preparing for our conversation, I noticed you follow [influencer] on LinkedIn. What did you think of their ideas on [topic]? (Alternatively, "Did you read their book?")

33. I saw you follow [influencer] on Twitter. I do, too. Did you see what they wrote the other day about [topic]?

34. I saw on LinkedIn you attended [college]. My [niece/son/grandchild/family friend] was thinking of applying. What was your experience like?

35. Do many people from [college] end up in [customer's current location]?

36. Would you go back to [college] again for a graduate degree?

37. Are there any leaders in your space you'd recommend following?

38. What was the best class you ever took at [college]?

Content and Activity-Based Questions

sales rapport building questions: I saw that you tweeted about [author/book name]. I'm looking for a new read, should I try [author/book name]?

39. You recently tweeted a link to [podcast/radio show]. Have you listened to [specific episode/similar show]? (This question also works for books, movies, and TV shows.)

40. I loved what you [blogged/shared] the other day about [topic]. Have you read [related article]?

41. Since you're interested in [topic], I was wondering if you'd read [book on topic]?

42. I saw that you tweeted about [author/book name]. I'm looking for a new read, should I try [author/book name]?

43. I'm putting together a list of great blogs for [customer's industry]. Do you have any recommendations?

44. I'm putting together a list of must-read blogs for any [customer's profession]. Which ones do you like?

45. I'm buying a book for someone's [milestone year] birthday. Do you remember reading anything around that time that really changed your life?

46. I saw on [LinkedIn/Twitter/Facebook] you're interested in [topic]. Do you have any related recommendations?

47. I saw on [LinkedIn/Twitter/Facebook] you're interested in [topic]. How did you [learn about/come across] that [topic/field]?

48. Do you subscribe to any newsletters about [topic/industry/product category]?

49. I read the [article/blog post/interview/white paper/ebook] you shared on [topic] on [LinkedIn/Twitter/Facebook]. What did you like about it?

50. Are you reading any interesting books these days?

Company Questions

sales rapport building questions: Your company just moved to a new office, right? What's the [neighborhood/city] like?

51. Congrats on [recent company announcement]! How long was that in the works?

52. I saw [company] won [award] recently — way to go. Did you submit an entry, or were you unaware your team was up for consideration? Who were you competing with?

53. Your company just [opened up/moved to] a new office, right? What's the [neighborhood/city] like?

54. I saw on Twitter [you/your company] just started using [non-competitor product]. We were thinking of trying that one out — what's been your experience so far?

55. Your company's retreat photo came up on Instagram. Did you like [destination]? What was the highlight of the trip?

56. I was browsing your company's site when I came across the blog. I loved [your/your coworker's/your CEO's] post about [topic]. What do you think about [related topic]?

57. I came across [company's] social media accounts while I was preparing for our call. It seems like a [fun/interesting/fast-paced] place to work. What do you think?

58. I learned about [company's] unique tradition of [doing X] on [your company blog/social media]. How did that tradition begin?

59. I learned about [company's] unique tradition of [doing X] on [your company blog/social media]. Is that your favorite tradition?

60. Your company seems to host [online events, customer events, recruiting events, philanthropic events, industry events] fairly often. Are you involved in those?

61. I saw that your office is based in [city/neighborhood]. Do you like to go out to [restaurant] for lunch?

Building Rapport with Customers

By showing interest in your customers and getting them to open up, you can deepen even the most transactional relationships.

And once you've created that trust? You'll see a dramatic change in your ability to solve their problems and turn them into loyal customers.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in June 2019 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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RAPPORT BUILDING - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

RAPPORT BUILDING

Define rapport building and provide a rationale for its use by WIC counselors in ... demonstrate effective use of interpersonal communication techniques that promote ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Define rapport building and provide a rationale for its use by WIC counselors in nutrition assessment
Describe cultural, language, and other barriers to effective communication. Identify these barriers within the WIC environment and develop strategies to overcome them
Demonstrate non-verbal communication techniques which result in positive and effective communication
List, describe, and demonstrate effective use of interpersonal communication techniques that promote a participant-centered approach to nutrition assessment
Effectively use rapport building and interpersonal communication techniques in response to WIC scenarios
Importance ? per VENA
Rationale ? because it works!
Let us take a few moments to write down some of your thoughts
This module will describe language, cultural, and other barriers to effective communication within the WIC environment and discuss strategies to overcome them
2.2 Cross Cultural Awareness
Ex 2.1 Cross-cultural Nutrition Quiz
View and discuss video Communicating Between Cultures
Refer to handouts
H2.1 Effective Cross-cultural Communication
H2.2 Guidelines for Cross-cultural Communications
H2.3 Variety of Ethnic Food Practices
H2.4 Web-based Resources
H2.5 Multicultural Food Pyramids
H2.6 Low Literacy
H2.7 Deaf or Hard of Hearing
H2.8 Little or No English
H2.9 Use of Interpreter
Environmental
Appearance/Dress
Generational/Situational Poverty
2.3 Clarification of Technical
What Are Some Communication Barriers That You Have Experienced?
Create a positive environment
Limit your teaching objectives
Communicate clearly and simply
Use multiple ways to get message across
Verify understanding
Have perceived meanings
Exhibited by counselor and participants
H3.1 Effective and Ineffective Nonverbal Communication
View and discuss video Nonverbal Communication
Ex3.1 Attach Meaning to Nonverbal Behaviors
Ex3.2 Identifying Nonverbal Behavior
Utilize rapport building to establish participant-centered approach to nutrition assessment
Practice OARS techniques
H4.1 Positive Approach to Nutrition Assessment
H4.2 Getting Permission
Open Ended Questions
Affirmations
Reflective Listening
H4.3 Open-ended Questions
H4.4 Tried and True Open-ended Questions
Ex4.1 Practice Using Questions
H4.5 Affirmations
H4.6 Reflective Listening
Ex4.2 Practice Reflective Listening 1
Ex4.3 Practice Reflective Listening 2
Use handoutH4.7 Summarizing
Use exercise
Ex4.4 Practice Summarizing
View and discuss video WIC Scenario
Exercise to Accompany VideoEx5.1 Video Checklist
ExerciseEx5.2 Case Study

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Google Takes the Next Step in Its A.I. Evolution

The tech giant showed off how it would enmesh A.I. more deeply into its products and users’ lives, from search to so-called agents that perform tasks.

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By Nico Grant

Reporting from the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Calif.

Last May, Sundar Pichai, Google’s chief executive, said the company would use artificial intelligence to reimagine all of its products .

But because new generative A.I. technology presented risks, like spreading false information, Google was cautious about applying the technology to its search engine, which is used by more than two billion people and was responsible for $175 billion in revenue last year.

On Tuesday, at Google’s annual conference in Mountain View, Calif., Mr. Pichai showed how the company’s aggressive work on A.I. had finally trickled into the search engine. Starting this week, he said, U.S. users will see a feature, A.I. Overviews, that generates information summaries above traditional search results. By the end of the year, more than a billion people will have access to the technology.

A.I. Overviews is likely to heighten concerns that web publishers will see less traffic from Google Search, putting more pressure on an industry that has reeled from rifts with other tech platforms. On Google, users will see longer summaries about a topic, which could reduce the need to go to another website — though Google downplayed those concerns.

“The links included in A.I. Overviews get more clicks” from users than if they were presented as traditional search results, Liz Reid, Google’s vice president of search, wrote in a blog post . “We’ll continue to focus on sending valuable traffic to publishers and creators.”

The company also unveiled a host of other initiatives — including a lightweight A.I. model, new chips and so-called agents that help users perform tasks — in an effort to gain the upper hand in an A.I. slugfest with Microsoft and OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT.

“We are in the very early days of the A.I. platform shift,” Mr. Pichai said on Tuesday at Google’s I/O developer conference. “We want everyone to benefit from what Gemini can do,” including developers, start-ups and the public.

When ChatGPT was released in late 2022, some tech industry insiders considered it a serious threat to Google’s search engine, the most popular way to get information online. Since then, Google has aggressively worked to regain its advantage in A.I., releasing a family of technology named Gemini, including new A.I. models for developers and the chatbot for consumers. It also infused the technology into YouTube, Gmail and Docs, helping users create videos, emails and drafts with less effort.

All the while, Google’s tit-for-tat competition with OpenAI and its partner, Microsoft, has continued. The day before Google’s conference, OpenAI presented a new version of ChatGPT that is more akin to a voice assistant .

(The New York Times sued OpenAI and Microsoft in December for copyright infringement of news content related to A.I. systems.)

At its Silicon Valley event, Google showcased how it would enmesh A.I. more deeply into users’ lives. It presented Project Astra, an experiment to see how A.I. could act as an agent, vocally chatting with users and responding to images and videos. Some of the abilities will be available to users of Google’s Gemini chatbot this year, Demis Hassabis, chief executive of DeepMind, Google’s A.I. lab, wrote in a blog post .

DeepMind also presented Gemini 1.5 Flash, an A.I. model designed to be fast and efficient but lighter in size than Gemini 1.5 Pro, the midtier model that Google rolled out to many of its consumer services. Dr. Hassabis wrote that the new model was “highly capable” at reasoning and was good at summarizing information, chatting and captioning images and videos.

The company announced another A.I. model, Veo, that generates high-definition videos based on simple text prompts, similar to OpenAI’s Sora system. Google said that some creators could preview Veo and that others could join a wait-list for access to it. Later this year, the company expects to bring some of Veo’s abilities to YouTube Shorts, the video platform’s TikTok competitor, and other products.

Google also showed off the latest versions of its music-generation tool, Lyria, and image generator, Imagen 3. In February, Google’s Gemini chatbot was criticized by users on social media for refusing to generate images of white people and presenting inaccurate images of historical figures. The company said it would shut off the ability to generate images of people until it fixed the issue.

In the past three months, more than one million users have signed up to Gemini Advanced, the version of Google’s chatbot available through a $20 monthly subscription, the company said.

In the next months, Google will add Gemini Live, which will provide users a way to speak to the chatbot through voice commands. The chatbot will respond in natural-sounding voices, Google said, and users could interrupt Gemini to ask clarifying questions. Later this year, users will be able to use their cameras to show Gemini Live the physical world around them and have conversations with the chatbot about it.

Besides A.I. Overviews, Google’s search engine will present search results pages organized by A.I., with generated headlines highlighting different types of content. The feature will start with dining and recipe results, and will later be offered for shopping, travel and entertainment queries.

Ms. Reid, the head of search, said in an interview before the conference that she expected the search updates to save users time because Google “can do more of the work for you.”

Mr. Pichai said he expected that a vast majority of people would interact with Gemini A.I. technology through Google’s search engine.

“We’re going to make it more and more seamless for people to interact with Gemini,” Mr. Pichai said in a briefing before the conference.

Nico Grant is a technology reporter covering Google from San Francisco. Previously, he spent five years at Bloomberg News, where he focused on Google and cloud computing. More about Nico Grant

Explore Our Coverage of Artificial Intelligence

News and Analysis

Ilya Sutskever, the OpenAI co-founder and chief scientist who in November joined three other board members to force out Sam Altman before saying he regretted the move, is leaving the company .

OpenAI has unveiled a new version of its ChatGPT chatbot that can receive and respond to voice commands, images and videos.

A bipartisan group of senators released a long-awaited legislative plan for A.I. , calling for billions in funding to propel U.S. leadership in the technology while offering few details on regulations.

The Age of A.I.

A new program, backed by Cornell Tech, M.I.T. and U.C.L.A., helps prepare lower-income, Latina and Black female computing majors for A.I. careers.

Publishers have long worried that A.I.-generated answers on Google would drive readers away from their sites. They’re about to find out if those fears are warranted, our tech columnist writes .

A new category of apps promises to relieve parents of drudgery, with an assist from A.I. But a family’s grunt work is more human, and valuable, than it seems.

Despite Mark Zuckerberg’s hope for Meta’s A.I. assistant to be the smartest , it struggles with facts, numbers and web search.

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Introducing GPT-4o: OpenAI’s new flagship multimodal model now in preview on Azure

By Eric Boyd Corporate Vice President, Azure AI Platform, Microsoft

Posted on May 13, 2024 2 min read

Tag: Copilot
Tag: Generative AI

Microsoft is thrilled to announce the launch of GPT-4o, OpenAI’s new flagship model on Azure AI. This groundbreaking multimodal model integrates text, vision, and audio capabilities, setting a new standard for generative and conversational AI experiences. GPT-4o is available now in Azure OpenAI Service, to try in preview , with support for text and image.

Azure OpenAI Service

A person sitting at a table looking at a laptop.

A step forward in generative AI for Azure OpenAI Service

GPT-4o offers a shift in how AI models interact with multimodal inputs. By seamlessly combining text, images, and audio, GPT-4o provides a richer, more engaging user experience.

Launch highlights: Immediate access and what you can expect

Azure OpenAI Service customers can explore GPT-4o’s extensive capabilities through a preview playground in Azure OpenAI Studio starting today in two regions in the US. This initial release focuses on text and vision inputs to provide a glimpse into the model’s potential, paving the way for further capabilities like audio and video.

Efficiency and cost-effectiveness

GPT-4o is engineered for speed and efficiency. Its advanced ability to handle complex queries with minimal resources can translate into cost savings and performance.

Potential use cases to explore with GPT-4o

The introduction of GPT-4o opens numerous possibilities for businesses in various sectors:

Enhanced customer service : By integrating diverse data inputs, GPT-4o enables more dynamic and comprehensive customer support interactions.
Advanced analytics : Leverage GPT-4o’s capability to process and analyze different types of data to enhance decision-making and uncover deeper insights.
Content innovation : Use GPT-4o’s generative capabilities to create engaging and diverse content formats, catering to a broad range of consumer preferences.

Exciting future developments: GPT-4o at Microsoft Build 2024

We are eager to share more about GPT-4o and other Azure AI updates at Microsoft Build 2024 , to help developers further unlock the power of generative AI.

Get started with Azure OpenAI Service

Begin your journey with GPT-4o and Azure OpenAI Service by taking the following steps:

Try out GPT-4o in Azure OpenAI Service Chat Playground (in preview).
If you are not a current Azure OpenAI Service customer, apply for access by completing this form .
Learn more about  Azure OpenAI Service  and the  latest enhancements.
Understand responsible AI tooling available in Azure with Azure AI Content Safety .
Review the OpenAI blog on GPT-4o.

Let us know what you think of Azure and what you would like to see in the future.

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Staff Presentation | Building for the Future Through Electric Regional Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation

Good morning, Chairman Phillips and Commissioners,

Item E-1 is a draft final rule, issued pursuant to section 206 of the Federal Power Act, to reform the Commission’s regional transmission planning and cost allocation requirements. The reforms remedy deficiencies in the existing requirements to ensure that Commission-jurisdictional rates remain just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential. Today’s draft final rule builds on Order Nos. 888, 890, and 1000. In those orders, the Commission incrementally developed the requirements that govern regional transmission planning and cost allocation processes.

The Commission initially considered these reforms in its July 2021 Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (or “ANOPR”), and later issued an April 2022 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (or “NOPR”) that proposed specific reforms. The ANOPR and the NOPR received approximately 26,850 pages of initial comments and appendices by August 2022, and 3,825 pages of reply comments and appendices by September 2022. In addition, after September 2022, the NOPR received approximately 1,480 pages of supplemental comments and appendices. To our knowledge, this is the largest record ever considered by the Commission.

Today’s draft final rule, based on the extensive record in this proceeding, finds that sufficiently long-term, forward-looking, and comprehensive regional transmission planning and cost allocation to meet long-term transmission needs is not occurring on a consistent and sufficient basis, and that the absence of this type of regional transmission planning is resulting in piecemeal transmission expansion that addresses relatively near-term transmission needs. In addition, the draft final rule finds that the status quo approach results in transmission providers investing in relatively inefficient or less cost-effective transmission infrastructure, with the costs ultimately recovered through Commission-jurisdictional rates. This dynamic results in, among other things, transmission customers paying more than is necessary or appropriate to meet their transmission needs, and customers missing out on benefits that outweigh their costs, which results in less efficient or cost-effective transmission investments. This in turn renders Commission-jurisdictional regional transmission planning and cost allocation processes unjust and unreasonable.

The reforms in this draft final rule remedy this problem by requiring transmission providers to conduct regional transmission planning on a sufficiently long-term, forward-looking, and comprehensive basis to identify long-term transmission needs. Transmission providers must, among other things, plan ahead at least 20 years, using best available data to develop well-informed projections of long-term transmission needs and long-term regional transmission facilities to meet those needs. In addition, transmission providers must conduct this planning at least every five years and incorporate specific categories of factors that affect long-term transmission needs, including certain laws and regulations, integrated resource plans, trends in fuel costs, retirements, interconnection requests and withdrawals, and policy goals and corporate commitments.

The draft final rule also requires transmission providers to measure and use at least seven enumerated economic and reliability benefits for the evaluation and selection of long-term regional transmission facilities. These seven benefits are: (1) avoided or deferred reliability transmission facilities and aging infrastructure replacement; (2) either reduced loss of load probability or reduced planning reserve margin; (3) production cost savings; (4) reduced transmission energy losses; (5) reduced congestion due to transmission outages; (6) mitigation of extreme weather events and unexpected system conditions; and (7) capacity cost benefits from reduced peak energy losses.

Additionally, the draft final rule requires transmission providers to include in their tariffs an evaluation process, including selection criteria, that they will use to identify and evaluate long-term regional transmission facilities for potential selection. Transmission providers must establish an evaluation process that identifies long-term regional transmission facilities that address long-term transmission needs, measures the benefits of the identified transmission facilities consistent with the final rule requirements, and designates a point in the evaluation process at which transmission providers will determine whether to select or not select identified transmission facilities. Transmission providers must also establish selection criteria that are transparent and not unduly discriminatory or preferential, aim to ensure that more efficient or cost-effective long-term regional transmission facilities are selected, and seek to maximize benefits accounting for costs over time without over-building transmission facilities.

With respect to cost allocation, the draft final rule requires transmission providers to file one or more ex ante methods to allocate the costs of long-term regional transmission facilities (or a portfolio of such facilities) that are selected. Transmission providers are also required to hold a six-month engagement period with relevant state entities regarding cost allocation methods and/or a state agreement process prior to compliance. The draft final rule provides additional flexibility on cost allocation by permitting transmission providers to adopt a state agreement process, agreed to by relevant state entities, which could occur before, as well as up to six months after selection, for its participants to determine, and transmission providers to file, a cost allocation method for specific long-term regional transmission facilities.

T he draft final rule also requires transmission providers to include in their tariffs provisions to reevaluate previously selected long-term regional transmission facilities in certain circumstances.

In addition, the draft final rule contains provisions to ensure the evaluation of regional transmission facilities that will address certain transmission needs identified through the generator interconnection process and have not yet been built.

In order to make the use of existing transmission infrastructure more efficient and optimize the performance of such infrastructure, and to promote cost savings by improving operational efficiency of new transmission facilities, the draft final rule requires transmission providers to consider several alternative transmission technologies—dynamic line ratings, advanced power flow control devices, advanced conductors, and transmission switching—in regional transmission planning processes.

Recognizing that local transmission planning may affect the more efficient or cost-effective regional transmission needs identified in long-term regional transmission planning, the draft final rule requires transmission providers to adopt enhanced transparency for local transmission planning information and identify potential opportunities to “right-size” replacement transmission facilities to more efficiently or cost-effectively address long-term transmission needs. Transmission providers must also adopt tariff provisions that provide a federal right of first refusal for a transmission provider to develop any “right-sized” facility.

In addition, the draft final rule declines to adopt the NOPR proposal to establish a conditional federal right of first refusal based on joint ownership. The draft final rule explains that the Commission will continue to consider the NOPR proposal and potential federal right of first refusal issues in other proceedings.

Another NOPR proposal that the draft final rule does not adopt is the proposal to limit the availability of the construction work in progress (or “CWIP”) incentive. The draft final rule explains that any action on the CWIP incentive is more appropriately considered in a separate proceeding to allow for a holistic approach to transmission incentives.

Finally, the draft final rule requires transmission providers to revise their interregional transmission coordination processes to reflect the long-term regional transmission planning reforms adopted in the draft final rule.

The draft final rule will be effective 60 days from publishing in the Federal Register . It requires that each transmission provider submit a compliance filing within ten months of the effective date of the draft final rule for most draft final rule requirements, but provides for a compliance filing within twelve months of the effective date of the draft final rule for the interregional transmission coordination requirements.

Thank you, this concludes our presentation. We are happy to address any questions.

Contact Information

News Media Email: [email protected]

Latest News

Innovations and efficiencies in generator interconnection workshop, ferc takes on long-term planning with historic transmission rule, fact sheet | building for the future through electric regional transmission planning and cost allocation.

IMAGES

A Guide to Building Rapport in Organizations
Building rapport: Complete guide for 2021
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Building Rapport
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VIDEO

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COMMENTS

Rapport building
Rapport building - Download as a PDF or view online for free. Submit Search. Upload. Rapport building • Download as PPTX, PDF • 45 likes • 30,073 views. G. Geetanjali Kaushik Follow. rapport building presentation including introduction, basics of rapport building, customer's needs, components, importance, advantages, barriers, 4 A's ...
10 ways to build rapport when presenting
Smiling at the beginning, the end and anywhere else that is appropriate is sufficient. Added bonus to smiling - it is the cheapest way to improve your looks and make you feel happier. 5. Include ...
Building Rapport
It will be hard to establish rapport without them, as they will help you to establish trust, empathy, and a feeling in people that you are listening to them. 3. Find Common Ground. Identifying common ground can help to establish rapport, so use small talk to find something that you both share.
How to Build Rapport With Clients: 18 Examples & Questions
Along with Young's (2017) suggestions, additional methods that help clinicians build rapport include: Use nonverbal cues that convey warmth and understanding. Break the ice with small talk. Integrate humor into the conversation as appropriate. Show empathy and compassion, especially when the client is distressed.
Learn How to Build Instant Rapport with Your Audience
Some techniques for building rapport with an audience include maintaining eye contact, using open and welcoming body language, showing genuine interest in the topic and the audience, using humor or personal anecdotes when appropriate, and actively involving the audience through questions or interactive activities. 3.
Building Rapport
Building rapport is the process of establishing that connection. It is usually based on shared experiences or views, including a shared sense of humour. Building rapport tends to be most important at the start of an acquaintanceship or working relationship. The rapport created, however, can last for many years.
How to Build Rapport: A Powerful Technique
The rhythm of the breath. Pay attention to how the other person is breathing, and then match it. This technique helps tremendously in bonding with the other. If the person you are having a ...
9 Tips For Quickly Building Rapport With Your Audience
Here are 9 different strategies that can help you quickly develop rapport with your audience. 1 Have accommodating body language. This means body language that will help to build rapport and trust ...
Building Rapport During Conference Presentations
Rapport-building is a two-way street. Actively listen to your audience during the presentation and respond thoughtfully to their input. When addressing questions, concerns, or feedback, demonstrate attentive listening by paraphrasing and acknowledging their contributions. Engage in a genuine conversation, valuing their perspectives.
5 ways to build rapport with your audience
So I have learnt some easy ways to build the rapport needed. Using these in your future presentations is sure to help you. 1. Get to know the audience. Firstly, arrive early. Spend ten to fifteen minutes introducing yourself to the gathering people. Have a brief talk with them.
A Presenter's Guide to Building Audience Rapport
To build stronger audience rapport, don't forget to acknowledge the contributors by name as best as you can. Establishing audience rapport doesn't have to be a back-breaking task. For a presenter, it can be the quickest route to meet the goals you've set yourself. Keep these tips in mind to make sure your message is delivered successfully.
How To Build Audience Rapport During A Presentation
3. Include your audience in the presentation. Another great way to build rapport is to encourage audience participation by asking questions and using analogies that resonate with them. Make them feel included and part of the presentation by saying 'you' as many times as you say 'I'. Also, be sure to allow a few minutes for questions and ...
6 Tips to Build Rapport During Presentations
Another way to build rapport is to involve your audience in your presentation. Don't just lecture them, but make them active participants. Ask them questions, solicit their opinions, invite them ...
10 ways to build rapport when presenting
Smiling at the beginning, the end and anywhere else that is appropriate is sufficient. Added bonus to smiling - it is the cheapest way to improve your looks and make you feel happier. 5. Include the audience, if appropriate. Try to make the audience feel as though they are part of the presentation.
How to Build Rapport: 6 Tactics to Build Strong Relationships
How to build rapport. Make a good introduction. Actively listen. Ask engaging questions. Be aware of your body language. Find commonalities. Lead with empathy and respect. 1. Make a good introduction.
6 ways to build rapport and develop meaningful relationships
Benefits of building rapport in the workplace. Build mutual trust. Make team members feel more engaged. Improve constructive feedback sessions. Boost team loyalty. Build good group dynamics. Feel more "in sync" with the other person. Develop effective workplace communication.
How To Build Rapport in a Professional Setting (With Examples)
How to build rapport Building rapport takes time and effort. Here are a few tips for building rapport depending on the situation you are in: Find times to connect. Be friendly, yet genuine. Ask questions about the person's work, life or interests. Remember details from your conversation—especially their name. Build on a previous ...
Effective presentations: Building rapport to motivate change
4. Share common ground by using stories, case studies, facts and emotion to engage and relate with the people listening to you. 5. Be humble, authentic and sincere. Show a weaker side and your audience will really feel like you are in the same situation as them. 6. Make it emotional.
Rapport-Building Questions: 68 Memorable Questions for Establishing
2. Align with the customer's goals and needs. Customer service interactions are notorious for generating a competitive environment between the customer and the company. In the past, businesses had a tactical advantage and could easily exploit customers. Now, customers are on the same playing field.
Rapport Building Overview & Importance
Rapport building is the process of creating rapport and building trusting relationships between two or more people. To best picture rapport, imagine it as the area between two intersecting circles.
Build Rapport PowerPoint Presentation and Slides
Presenting this set of slides with name Rapport Building Ppt Powerpoint Presentation Design Ideas Cpb. This is an editable Powerpoint four stages graphic that deals with topics like Rapport Building to help convey your message better graphically. This product is a premium product available for immediate download, and is 100 percent editable in ...
RAPPORT BUILDING
Title: RAPPORT BUILDING. Description: Define rapport building and provide a rationale for its use by WIC counselors in ... demonstrate effective use of interpersonal communication techniques that promote ... - PowerPoint PPT presentation. Number of Views: 5990. Avg rating:3.0/5.0. Slides: 22.
Notational Order 2024-05-14
Staff Presentation | Building for the Future Through Electric Regional Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation. May 13, 2024. News Releases. FERC Takes on Long-Term Planning with Historic Transmission Rule. May 13, 2024. Upcoming Events. View all events. 15. May. Public Meeting.
Ironheart Confirmed for 2025 as Trailer Shows Riri Taking Parts to
After numerous delays, it was confirmed at today's Disney Upfronts presentation that MCU series Ironheart will finally debut on Disney+ sometime in 2025 as a trailer was shown to ad-buyers at the ...
Presentations: Building rapport with your audience
We interpret body language cues faster than words, so your ability to build rapport with your audience will depend in large part on your tone, manner and body language. Use a warm tone and smile ...
Fact Sheet
Item E-1 | News Release | Presentation FERC's new Grid Expansion Rule continues the essential work of the Commission - ensuring a reliable grid - by requiring the nation's transmission providers to plan for the transmission we know we will need in the future.
Google Unveils AI Overviews Feature for Search at 2024 I/O Conference
The tech giant showed off how it would enmesh A.I. more deeply into its products and users' lives, from search to so-called agents that perform tasks. By Nico Grant Reporting from the Shoreline ...
Introducing GPT-4o: OpenAI's new flagship multimodal model now in
Build, manage, and continuously deliver cloud apps—with any platform or language. AI. Analyze images, comprehend speech, and make predictions using data. Cloud migration and modernization. Simplify and accelerate your migration and modernization with guidance, tools, and resources.
Staff Presentation
Good morning, Chairman Phillips and Commissioners, Item E-1 is a draft final rule, issued pursuant to section 206 of the Federal Power Act, to reform the Commission's regional transmission planning and cost allocation requirements.The reforms remedy deficiencies in the existing requirements to ensure that Commission-jurisdictional rates remain just and reasonable and not unduly ...
FreightCar America, Inc. 2024 Q1
The following slide deck was published by FreightCar America, Inc. in conjunction with their 2024 Q1 earnings call ...

Building Rapport

What Is Rapport?

How to Build Rapport

1. Check Your Appearance

2. Remember the Basics

3. Find Common Ground

4. Create Shared Experiences

5. Be Empathic

6. Mirror and Match

Re-Establishing Rapport

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Written Communication

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How to Build Rapport With Clients: 18 Examples & Questions

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Building rapport with clients – Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy

17 Top-Rated Positive Psychology Exercises for Practitioners

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Learn How to Build Instant Rapport with Your Audience

Key Takeaways

Building Rapport in Public Speaking

Establishing a connection with the audience

Using humor to build rapport

Sharing personal stories to create a bond with the audience

Using body language to convey warmth and openness

Addressing the audience by name to create a sense of familiarity

Finding Common Ground with the Audience

Using Inclusive Language to Make Everyone Feel Welcome

Demonstrating Empathy and Understanding towards the Audience

1. How important is building rapport in public speaking?

2. What are some techniques for building rapport with an audience?

3. Can building rapport help overcome stage fright or nervousness during public speaking?

4. How does storytelling contribute to building rapport in public speaking?

Building Rapport

Understanding Rapport

Why Does Rapport Matter?

Break the Ice

Non-Verbal Rapport Building

Helpful Rapport Building Behaviours

An Essential Skill

How to Build Rapport: A Powerful Technique

Rapport building is at the root of effective communication

One powerful method is to match and mirror the behavior of the other

Matching and mirroring is the skill of assuming someone else’s style of behavior to create rapport

Body postures and gestures

The rhythm of the breath

The energy level

The tone of your voice

5 ways to build rapport with your audience

Recommended Pages

A Presenter’s Guide to Building Audience Rapport

Stop thinking of the audience as a group of faceless individuals

Don’t underestimate the power of eye contact

Get them thinking by asking rhetorical questions

Encourage interaction by involving them in the discussion

Establishing audience rapport doesn’t have to be a back-breaking task. For a presenter, it can be the quickest route to meet the goals you’ve set yourself. Keep these tips in mind to make sure your message is delivered successfully.

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Strategies for building audience rapport during a presentation

1. Know your audience