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With the exceptions of a few natural socialites and conversationalists, being popular at work and in networking events isn’t always easy. Dr. Earl Taylor, president of Dale Carnegie Training’s North Carolina practice tells Inc.com that the trick is effective rapport building in the initial conversation. Once you master the art of building relationships at first contact, the benefits will follow for years to come.
Taylor’s first instruction: imagine people you meet for the first time are your honored guests in your home. Although the conversation will most likely differ from business associate to house guest, the attitude you carry won’t. When you have an honored guest in your home, you are glad to see them and you do your best to make them feel welcome and comfortable. Express your gratitude to have been able to meet and speak with this person.
Once you’ve welcomed this person as an honored guest, if you can, attempt to hold a conversation with a comment that lets them know you’ve thought about their concerns and issues. Then follow the comment with a question. For instance, if you know about the person’s previous experience with human rights or a business venture, mention this and ask them about their experience or the response to their most recent work. If you’re sincerely interested, the person will remember the value you placed on getting to know them and their work long after the initial conversation.
Most importantly, in order to effectively build rapport, it is important to take ideas from experiences in your own life where rapport-building comes easily. When you can draw upon topics that genuinely interest you, the conversation will naturally flow.
