How To Build Better Rapport and Relationships

By: Adriana Puente | 11,422 Reads | 15 Shares

%3Cp%3EMany+of+the+common+phrases+or+%22manners%22+we+use+daily+in+business+%28or+life+for+that+matter%29%2C+could+be+preventing+establishing+rapport+and+relationships.+When+communicating+with+a+superior%2C+colleague%2C+employee%2C+or+whomever+it+might+be%2C+consider+how+often+phrases+like+%22Please+let+me+know+when+we+can+speak+more+about+this...%22%2C+%22Thank+you+for+taking+the+time+to+speak+with+me+today%21%22%2C+%22I+look+forward+to+working+with+you%2C%22+are+used.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EAs+humans+and+specifically+those+with+the+XX+chromosome%2C+we+have+been+taught+to+be+polite+and+considerate+of+others+-+and+please+and+thank+you+are+a+natural+part+of+being+cordial+and+friendly.+And+let%27s+be+honest%2C+when+we%27re+trying+to+negotiate%2C+sell+a+new+idea%2C+or+navigate+conflict+in+some+way%2C+we+think+that+having+manners+makes+us+more+likeable.+In+addition%2C+the+way+we+communicate+through+digital+channels%2C+where+many+use+exclamation+points+or+smiley+faces+to+show+our+excitement+or+to+make+us+seem+less+pushy.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3ETake+a+moment+to+reflect+on+written+communications+you+receive+and+send+throughout+the+day.+Do+you+see+a+notable+difference+in+style%2C+especially+with+those+that+you+know+tend+to+get+%22what+they+want%22+out+of+their+communication%3F%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3ECommunication+is+a+critical+part+of+being+an+effective+leader.+When+we+leverage+words+and+phrases+with+the+%22hope%22+of+getting+a+desired+response+based+on+being+nice%2C+we+do+ourselves+a+disservice.+Therefore%2C+committing+to+change+your+approach+to+communicating+in+a+way+that+generates+the+response+you+desire+is+key.+Specifically%2C+working+towards+building+rapport+and+relationships+with+those+around+you+by+not+assuming+you+know+how+they+will+respond.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3ESo+how+do+you+put+yourself+in+a+position+to+effectively+negotiate+and+influence+to+get+the+result+you+want%3F+Consider+the+following+examples+in+your+communications%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cul%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3EStay+away+from+%22emotional%22+or+%22feeling%22+phrases+-+words+or+icons+%28emojis%29+that+convey+a+feeling+such+as+like%2C+love%2C+enjoy%2C+and+use+of+exclamation+points.%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3EInclude+a+next+step+or+the+follow-up+you+want+to+have+happen.+Do+not+be+shy+about+closing+out+your+communication+with+something+like%2C+%22If+I+do+not+hear+back+from+you%2C+I+will+follow-up+with+you+in+a+week.%22+This+helps+set+the+expectation+that+you+will+be+back+in+touch.+If+the+person+with+whom+you+are+communicating+is+too+busy+or+not+ready+to+respond%2C+they+know+you+will+circle+back.%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3Cli%3EFocus+on+clear%2C+concise+statements+that+communicate+what+you+want%2C+why%2C+when%2C+and%2C+if+it+makes+sense%2C+what+is+in+it+for+them.+With+our+mounting+inbox+and+short+attention+spans%2C+people+don%27t+want+to+feel+like+they+are+being+%22sold.%22+The+focus+shifts+to+allowing+the+recipient+the+opportunity+to+%22buy+in%22+to+your+idea.%3C%2Fli%3E%0D%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EThis+shift+in+communication+can+be+difficult+because+we+have+learned+behaviors+that+are+the+complete+opposite.+These+changes+may+make+us+%22feel%22+as+if+we+are+being+too+direct+or+too+presumptive.+Start+implementing+these+suggestions+in+your+daily+communication+and+track+your+progress.+It+does+not+have+to+be+an+all+or+nothing%2C+just+try+a+few+here+and+there+and+determine+if+the+change+impacts+your+leadership+effectiveness+and+ability+to+%22sell%22+ideas+to+others.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp+style%3D%22border-top%3A+3px+solid+%23DDDDDD%3B%22%3E%26nbsp%3B%3Cem%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdriana+Puente%3C%2Fstrong%3E+is+an+Associate+of+The+Rawls+Group%2C+a+business+succession+planning+firm.+Adriana+specializes+in+dealing+with+the+issues+that+must+be+resolved+by+business+owners+to+implement+succession+strategies+geared+towards+building+business+value.+For+additional+information%2C+visit+%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rawlsgroup.com%22+target%3D%22_blank%22+rel%3D%22noopener%22%3Ewww.rawlsgroup.com%3C%2Fa%3E+or+call+407-578-4455.%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E

Published: May 15th, 2018