How to Coach Yourself and Others Techniques For Coaching | Page 87

personal experience that is like theirs. If that is not possible say that
you understand or ask them to explain further in a way that lets them
know you are interested in their experience. Being heard is a building
block of trusting.
So building rapport is taking steps to create trust by creating an
absence of vulnerability. This is done by helping the coachee to feel
safe. Steps to take include being curious, creating an open space for
answers to questions, mirroring the demeanour of the coachee, giving
the coachee your total attention and acknowledging that they are being
heard. It’s all about being an excellent listener.
Rapport is the ultimate tool for producing results with other people and
thus it is so vital for effective communications.
Whether you know the person or not, there are 6 main steps to
establishing rapport with anyone.
When you bear in mind that 93% of all communication is down to the
tonality of your voice and your body language, building rapport is far
more than just talking about common experiences.
It's an important point to remember but people like people when they
are like themselves and when they are not it so much more difficult to
have any sort of relationship with that person never mind an effective
one!
Have you ever had times in your past when building rapport was so
easy?
I bet you've also had times when you thought, "Oh, what am I going to
do and say next?"
We have all been there!
We have also all been there when you've wanted to be quiet and
relaxed when all of a sudden a friend or colleague comes jumping in
and full of energy, wanting to talk your head off? How did you feel?

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