In most NLP Training companies, rapport is only mentioned as physically matching, mirroring and crossover mirroring. I actually think there is so much more to building rapport than that, and which actually will yield even more results.
NLP training: other ways to create rapport
Here are my ideas that are taught in our NLP training for Practitioner:
1. Matching predicates (using visual, auditory, kinesthetic words) depending on the client’s preferred or lead system. This is incredibly helpful in order to build rapport within the client’s map, whether they are visual, auditory or kinesthetic.
2. Match the types of words they use. For instance if they use the word relaxation, you use the word relaxation too, instead of calmness.
3. Copying gestures, or pointing at locations in space where clients gesture.
4. Copying tonality of voice, speed of the voice, etc.
Conclusion
At the end of the day for me personally, rapport falls or stands with the intent that someone has when making a choice to build the rapport. If someone only builds rapport with me for bad reasons, then I feel it in my belly. But when someone builds rapport with a positive intent I fail to even notice. In fact, rapport is more effectively built especially if you do it in a 16-day NLP training.
Resources
Book
The Big Book of NLP, Expanded: 350+ Techniques, Patterns & Strategies of Neuro Linguistic Programming – Shlomo Vaknin
Video
