Rapport refers to the connection you share with the person you are coaching (or anybody rather). Rapport is necessary as it puts the person at ease! When you share rapport with him, it allows him to share freely, and be himself. More importantly, he’ll be open to coaching!! You can take him from where he is to where he ought to be. Rapport is a match between people, in physical position, their movements or their voice (such as both people having hands folded, both speaking in a low tone, etc.).
Want to know the power of rapport? Watch people who get along well. The rapport they share is almost shocking! Next time, watch a couple walking together. Notice their feet. They walk in the same pace, in the same way. Watch two friends sitting at a coffee shop having a good time (usually when their connection is at the highest), and watch how they sit. Is there a match? What about their voices? Anywhere a strong connection exists, you’ll see rapport present!
How do you establish rapport?
There are quite a few ways :
1. Voice – Is his voice at a low pitch or high pitch? How loud is it? How fast or slow does he speak?
2. Physical position – How is he sitting? How are his feet and hands placed? Is his head upright, or is he largely looking down? Is he leaning forward?
3. Breathing – Is his breathing shallow or heavy?
4. Movement – If he moves, you move. You don’t have to necessarily match his position.
5. Conversation – Sometimes it can just be a conversation – something humourous or a topic he connects with!
You can use rapport to completely shift the person’s state! If his breathing is heavy because he’s upset, you can slow it down by matching his breathing at first and slowly shifting yours.
