photo credit: sergis blog

Building Rapport Instantaneously (Tongue Firmly in Cheek)

I used to act. Yes, back in junior college. Played the humorous female comedian whose main job was to ensure the tension from the intense drama of previous scenes were broken.

But my most important role was to ensure the play reconnected back to the audience. It was almost a 3-hour long drama (interspersed with singing and dancing ala’ Bollywood) so the risk of alienating the audience was very possible. So I had to do things like breaking the 4th wall, outrageous stunts and NC-16 jokes galore.

Great experience. Funny thing was my classmates were saying “It didn’t seem like you were acting! It was just you all along.”

Hmmm. Maybe I was a natural?

Here they are: How To Build Rapport Instantaneously!

1. Make Eye Contact: Nothing says sincere like a willingness to plumb the depths of your acquaintance’s soul.
2. Break Eye Contact: Sometimes things get so astounding you just need to stare at the table for a minute to re-evaluate your place in the universe.
3. Overshare: It doesn’t matter if it’s relevant. A quick story about an event that your changed your life will make it seem like you’re in really deep.
4. Swivel Your Head: Nodding “Yes” means “I get it, shut up.” But a slow “no” means “I can’t believe the fascinating things you’re telling me!”
5. Lean Back In Your Chair: This says you’re totally relaxed. You’re ready to hear some secrets.