Rapport is the relation of harmony, conformity, accord, or affinity to support an outcome. The intended outcome is more likely with rapport than if it is not present. There is a sense of a shared understanding with another person.
Mirroring – matching certain behaviors of a person with whom you are interacting — is the process used to establish rapport. There are four techniques for mirroring to build rapport.
- Voice tone or tempo
- Matching breathing rate
- Matching movement rhythms
- Matching body postures
Levels of rapport range on a continuum from a low of tolerance to a high of seduction. For business, strive for levels of neutral, lukewarm, understanding, identification, or warm, all in the center of the continuum.