6 Rapport Building Tips For Teams At Work

rapport building for teams business teamwork

Teamwork is based on a strong rapport that provides the foundation for building work relationships. It provides the basis for mutual respect, empathy, and honesty within workplace teams. The transition from office to remote working seems to have made team bonds weaker. 

The fundamental rapport components include empathy, honesty, reflection, and autonomy. This skill is valuable not just in the workplace but in everyday interactions with family members, friends, and neighbors. 

Have a look at these 6 top rapport-building tips for teams at work. 

1. Understand And Use Body Language 

Although not many individuals are aware of this fact, over ninety percent of communication is considered non-verbal. When speaking with a person, body language imitation leads to establishing a connection. The ability to interpret body language in the workplace makes employees capable of interpreting messages that aren’t communicated out loud. It affects the relationships within a team, as a person gets to know their colleagues, managers, and employers better. 

For instance, if a coworker nods while you speak and maintains eye contact, he or she is interested in what you are saying. In contrast, if a colleague looks away from you or sits back, this person is most likely distracted or bored. Crossed arms might indicate a person is uncomfortable or frustrated, but it can also mean confidence. It all depends on the context of the interaction. 

2. Find Common Ground 

Another useful tip for building rapport is finding common ground with different members of your team. Once you find you have something in common with a coworker, you won’t have to worry about the flow of communication. The act of reaching common ground brings people together and facilitates the process of getting along with someone. 

Moreover, rapport can be established within teams by discovering you share similar interests, pastimes, and experiences with another person. Try not to ask too personal questions at the beginning or delve deep into your personal life. In most situations, small talk provides the basis for establishing a deeper conversation. 

3. Consider Voice Tone Modulations 

Another indispensable aspect to be aware of during rapport building is voice inflection. It refers to the change of pitch or tone of your voice while speaking in an attempt to convey word meaning that’s more precise or provide an insight into your feelings. For example, an authority tone is suitable for managers to use while assigning tasks, but it wouldn’t do any good while conducting interviews. 

Furthermore, voice inflection is an important consideration while communicating with team members if hoping to build better rapport. By raising the tone of your voice when ending a sentence, you sound enthusiastic. If you end a sentence in a monotone voice, you exhibit a lack of interest. Learn more info about the unstoppable march of the upward inflection. 

business rapport

4. Be Agreeable 

Building rapport, when provided with a short time interval, can be challenging. In such scenarios, being agreeable is your best shot to establish good communication. Let’s assume a colleague of yours says he adores sushi. Even if you find sushi disgusting, you shouldn’t mention this fact but mention a nice sushi restaurant in town to keep the conversation alive. 

Every person can put effort into being more agreeable by practicing some simple guidelines. You should be asking questions instead of making judgments, be positive, have positive body language, know when to change the topic, etc. Such efforts go a long way in helping you build connections within your team. 

employee teamwork

5. Read Every Situation Properly 

Another valuable piece of advice for building rapport within teams is reading every situation properly. Prior to going to an appointment or meeting, spare some time to understand your type of relationship with every person present there. If you are the host, do everything in your power to be hospitable, interested, and attentive for team members to feel at ease. 

In contrast, if you assume the role of a guest, you should show up on time, appreciate the others, and go with the flow. By assuming the right role in social encounters, engagement is more likely to function easily. This site, https://work.chron.com/behave-professionally-meeting-6212.html, explains how to behave professionally in a meeting. 

6. Avoid Thin-Slicing 

Sometimes, the window that people have for establishing rapport and making the most out of every situation is very small. The concept called thin-slicing is introduced by Malcom Gladwell and refers to the action of making assumptions about other people in a split second, which are based on nothing else but past experience. 

False impressions should be overcome by establishing rapport at once through presenting the story of who you really are and how you wish others to see you. For instance, presenters are usually faced with plenty of assumptions from the audience they present the topic to. Starting with an anecdote that demonstrates the proficiency of the presenter of the subject is considered a good method to avoid thin-slicing. 

workplace teamwork building employee teams

Why Is Rapport Beneficial? 

Rapport is believed to be incredibly beneficial for teams due to enhancing their productiveness. Team members are expected to think more creatively and in an innovative manner. Consequently, revenue and sales goals are met more easily. Teams that have built a strong rapport have better chances to be enthusiastic and emphatic. 

Additionally, the atmosphere in the office is improved by practicing active listening and providing support to one another. There are various in-person and virtual rapport building activities for companies to try. Individuals with remarkable rapport skills are more capable of conducting successful interviews and identifying candidates who match the core values of their company. 

Rapport skills not only improve your interactions within the team but outside of it as well. On an individual level, rapport is thought of as an essential resume skill, belonging to the group of soft skills. Businesses are always interested in hiring someone who establishes good interactions with others. People skills are more important than ever before in the digital or traditional workplace.

Teamwork Time 

The advantages of rapport are important for every business. Each company needs it for long-terms success. Teamwork makes the dream work when working!

Creating rapport is a process of building a corporate culture of cohesion and enthusiasm. While every member should make their own contribution, the leader is responsible for encouraging camaraderie!

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