Here's how you can build rapport with colleagues and clients.

Engage in active listening: Developing rapport requires listening. The act of concentrating on what the other person is saying rather than planning your next move is known as active listening, or listening to understand.

Lend an Ear, Build Trust: In our fast-paced world, truly listening can be a superpower. Active listening goes beyond simply hearing words. It's about giving someone your full attention, both verbally and non-verbally. Make eye contact, ask clarifying questions, and summarize key points to show you're engaged. This demonstrates respect, builds trust, and fosters a collaborative environment.

Learn who your team is by listening and observing what they are passionate about and highlight on those skills when addressing them. For example: "I know you love cars and racing. How can we apply a Pit Stop in our organization". When you know who your team is and their passions you build bridges.

Be kind but firm Be open but professional Disagree often but agree quickly Listen but share your thoughts afterward Be authentic but flexible Work hard but work smart also Help others but be ready to say NO often

As mentioned above Active listening is a must to ensure mutual respect , when the other person feels heard it helps in making a stronger bond. Most importantly active listening helps in learning something new which we don't know and the chances are the other person knows or has a better perspective. It not only helps in making a stronger rapport but also helps us evolve

Remembering and acknowledging small details, such as birthdays or personal achievements, can go a long way in building trust and rapport. Additionally, adjusting your communication style to match theirs shows respect and understanding, further enhancing the relationship. Regularly check in with them, not just about work but also about their well-being, to show that you genuinely care.

Every human wants to feel valued and there is feeling of warmth & belongingness when the other person talks about something you like or your interests are. The clients consider you more than just a service provider. One of my client loves football and since Euro 2024 is going on so in the meeting talking about football for 2 mins , lights up his eyes . For employee in the team writing handwritten bday wishes or being secret Santa and gift something personal helps stronger bonds n helps retaining the employees at a much lower cost as they won't like to leave a healthy place to work with

Consistency is must in rapport building,the communication should not be limited to official follow ups it be personal sometimes and talk altogether other than the work. Avoid too many overwhelming messages however don’t miss the occasions. Trust can be build with frequently connecting vibes…

Being working with my own startup I know how important consistent communication is. If not you will be forgotten or perceived as not so much invested in the organization, idea ,for your employee or your clients. From Wishing employees on their birthday, anniversaries , festivals to cold emailing clients with new features which you have developed always show you are more invested than your competitors. Resulting in attracting more clients or the best talents in your organization.

Appreciation can be shown in multiple dimensions - formal or informal, reward or recognise! We often use these words in interchangeably , like for instance “reward and recognition” (R&R), while literally both these words can be used effectively to foster the culture of appreciation. In my opinion, Rewards are generally considered more materialistic in nature and have more aspirational value, while recognition is often related to psychological impact that can engage an employee on a regular basis. How well a manager balances multiple ways of appreciation, across employee life-cycle journey, will define the performance and productivity of his/her team members in long-term.

As an HR professional, I see the power of recognition programs. Sure, a handshake and a "good job" are nice, but consider the impact of highlighting a colleague's client win in a team meeting, or nominating a deserving employee for a company award. Public recognition validates their contribution, fosters a sense of belonging, and motivates others to excel. For clients, a handwritten thank-you note expressing your gratitude for their business goes a long way. Small gestures like remembering their birthday or sending a personalized gift after a successful project build loyalty and create lasting positive associations with your company.

Appreciation is like increasing moral of the team members specially on public platform (other than cabin), this will give motivation to build better rapport and fort excellent outcome of the given tasks. Similarly in case of clients also one must appreciate the timeline they met, the good work they deliver, and the timely support which save you from unnecessary stress…. one must be thanking to team and client whenever had the opportunity.

In a world where superficial interactions and fleeting connections are all too common, the importance of authenticity and genuine care cannot be overstated. Whether in personal relationships or professional networks, these qualities are the bedrock of meaningful, lasting connections. People can sense when you are genuine, and this trust becomes the foundation upon which deep connections are built. In a professional setting, authenticity translates to transparency and integrity. It means communicating openly and honestly with your colleagues, clients, and partners. When people know that they can rely on your word, they are more likely to engage with you on a deeper level, leading to stronger, more productive relationships.

Inauthentic interactions may attract an audience in the short term and even influence them to take certain actions. However, once your audience detects the inauthenticity, regaining their respect and trust becomes challenging. When you aim to establish a lasting connection with your audience, it is best to be authentic. Authenticity ensures that, even if there is disagreement, your audience will consider and give thought to your point of view. This genuine approach fosters long-term trust and respect, crucial for building a loyal and engaged audience.

This question is being asked frequently. I practice active listening, showing genuine interest, and demonstrating empathy. Begin by engaging in small talk to find common ground and shared interests. Practice active listening by maintaining eye contact, nodding, and reflecting on what they say. Showing appreciation and give positive feedback regularly. Be dependable, follow through on promises, and maintain professionalism. Respect boundaries and cultural differences. Being approachable, maintaining a positive attitude, and showing empathy in challenging situations further strengthen relationships. Lastly, seek and provide constructive feedback to foster mutual growth and trust.

Unresolved conflict can intensify over time, leading to larger and more complex problems that are harder to resolve. Also, the chance of employees distracted by ongoing conflicts are less focused on their work, leading to reduced efficiency and productivity. Conflict is inevitable in any work environment, however, what is absolutely crucial is that we make the decision to have the conversations to discuss the issues. It's not always easy, but these conversations are absolutely necessary.

To resolve any conflict we must have the intention to resolve it by building consensus and following a middle path after listening to everyone's perspectives, we must not have the intention to drag it as it leads to nowhere. We know conflicts might spoil existing relationships with clients which took months & years to develop, clinging on to our egos and not resolving will not only make the rapport go bad but eventually lead to loss of revenue. Not resolving conflict at work might reduce efficiency and performance of employees. They might not feel enthusiastic to give their 100%. It's the duty of the leader to effectively listen to all sides and find common ground to resolve it.

Taking the time to understand what is important to them upfront makes everything easier. Knowing what motivates them (i.e. public recognition, work life balance, gaining knowledge, security, etc) connects to all 6 categories: 1&5: you will demonstrate active listening and authenticity simply by doing this activity with them 2&4: you will get the answers to best personalize interactions and recognition efforts 3: initiating these conversations kicks open the door to two way communication making info flow more smoothly 6: by building rapport from the get-go it builds the trust so that if/when conflict arises you are confident that you can work through it together

Empathy - Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, which is crucial for building strong relationships with colleagues and clients. This helps create a positive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and understood. Practicing empathy leads to better communication, trust, and cooperation in professional relationships.

Authenticity and true intention to understand others is the shortest way to deeply connect with them. One good practice : When in a situation with a client, at work or else, if you are inconfortable, asking yourself about what you can say or not say, what do you look like in the eyes of the other, what you do need to achieve with this conversation. Just stop - listen genuinely to the other person - ask questions - focus exclusively on their answers. You are suddenly in the 1% of people truly listening to others.