Framework: How to Build Rapport

Nothing gets done without relationships.  Building rapport with other people is one of the best things you can do to develop a relationship especially in the early stages of meeting someone.  Below is a simple framework for structuring your conversations.  It’s based on this article .

  • Order an answer (ie: “So, tell me…”)
  • Repeat it back – Confirm that you heard them and that what they have to say is important
  • Question – Focus the interest on them with an open ended specific question.
  • Follow On – Keep the conversation going.  Use verbing to avoid getting stuck.  (ie – Identify a verb in what they just said to you and build a question around it)
  • Feelings – Bring in the feelings, “How did that feel?”

Here is another useful reference for building rapport with anyone you work with and Joe Polish’s Magic Rapport Formula.