Rapport can be defined as “bringing agreement, harmony and accord to a relationship”.

Isn’t that what we want in our connections – to discover points of mutual interest or common ground, reach agreements, live and work together in harmony and enjoy interactions along the way- with more ease? Rapport is the magic ingredient for getting along with our customers, co-workers, colleagues, committee members, families, friends, neighbors and everyone else we encounter in any role, anywhere, anytime. Getting along means smoother sailing, fewer hassles, and more fun!

The key to revving up rapport lies in expressing the same qualities that people find attractive. It’s the pleasure/pain principle in action. We move toward the people we like those who are easy to get along with, who make us feel comfortable, who bring out our best qualities (including our smiles, laughter and good feelings). In the reverse, we move away from those who bring us discomfort- those with whom we find nothing in common, or who grate on our nerves, make us see red, hold up our plans, don’t meet our expectations, give us headaches, or provoke other negative responses. The relationships that bring us pleasure and good experiences are  ikely to endear as well as endure, generating fond memories, long-lasting impressions and joyful feelings. In contrast, the relationships that bring us discomfort and cause negative experiences are likely to test our endurance; although their accompanying impressions, feelings, and memories may also last, we probably wish they wouldn’t. The ability to rev up your rapport is critical to creating enduring connections. Without it, you’re more likely to suffer the pain and stress of troubled relationships and disappointing connections. You may also miss out on wonderful opportunities and their power to transform. All are typical fallout from choosing a life of disconnection according to the book, “Get Along with Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere ...8 keys to creating enduring connections with customers, co-workers – even kids, by Arnold Sanow and Sandra Strauss.

Here are key traits you must focus on to rev up your rapport;
• Authenticity Good communication
• skills Appreciation Humor
• Compassion Neat appearance
• Confidence Positive attitude
• Engaging style Social skills
• Enthusiasm Respect
• Friendliness Sincerity

Conversely, here are traits that typically turn people off or turn them away;
• Abrasiveness Lack of humor
• Apathy Negative attitude
• Coldness Poor body language
• Insensitivity Poor communication skills
• Insincerity Poor social skills
• Lack of appreciation Profanity
• Lack of confidence Rudeness

Not only does rapport enhance your personal and professional relationships, it can also boost your company’s bottom line. Communicating with insight, perception, and empathy strengthens your efforts to keep customers happy, gain and maintain trust, regain favor with disgruntled clients and customers and increase the likelihood of getting their repeat business and their referrals. Likewise, building good rapport with colleagues increases the quality of your working relationships, with corresponding impact on productivity, creativity, cooperation, morale and overall job satisfaction.

As Norman Vincent Peale stated, “Getting people to like you is merely the other side of liking them”