I love networking, mingling, and getting to know people. As an ambivert, sometimes it proves to be challenging. This sentiment resonates with many, especially those who are introverts, as well as those of us in the impact-driven space, where genuine connection is paramount. As a veganpreneur or a professional dedicated to healing, compassion, and planetary health, your work is deeply personal.
Building rapport isn’t just about closing deals; it’s about forging alliances (with clients as well as business associates) that amplify your mission. When you approach networking and business building with the intention of making acquaintances that can become friends, rather than solely focusing on transactions, you create a fertile ground for collaboration and growth. This mindset shift—from “what can I get?” to “how can we connect?”—is the foundation of developing meaningful rapport.
Building Rapport: More Than Just a Skill, It’s a Movement
In our world, where visibility is crucial for spreading vital messages, rapport becomes a powerful tool. Creating a sense of belonging and trust allows you to effectively communicate your vision and inspire action as you connect with other professionals. Here are a few communications tips you can immediately put into action. While they are directly applicable to business to business connections, they are also great advice for interacting with your clients.
1. Active Listening is the Cornerstone of Connection. Effective communication starts with genuinely listening. Forget multitasking or waiting for your turn to speak. Give your undivided attention, maintaining eye contact and nodding to show engagement. Ask clarifying questions and paraphrase critical points to demonstrate understanding. This builds trust, reveals hidden insights, and strengthens your grasp of the situation.
Here are some active listening components that will serve you well:
- Beyond the Basics: Active listening goes beyond merely hearing words. It involves understanding the underlying emotions, values, and motivations. When growing your business, this means truly listening to the concerns and aspirations of your audience and your potential collaborative connections.
- Ask Insightful Questions: Instead of generic questions, delve into the “why” behind their work questions. In a professional setting consider asking: “What inspired you to start [your business/initiative]?” or “What impact do you hope to create?” Both of these questions show genuine interest.
- Reflect and Validate: Paraphrase their points and validate their feelings and their mission before proposing solutions.
- Example: “It sounds like you’re passionate about making plant-based options more accessible. That resonates deeply with me.” This is as confirming as it is connecting.
2. Seek Common Ground by Finding Shared Values and Passions. Finding shared interests or experiences fosters a sense of familiarity and comfort. Notice subtle cues – a sports jersey, a travel mug with a city you recognize – and use them to spark conversation. Share relevant personal anecdotes to bridge the gap and show yourself as relatable.
Remember, it’s not about forcing connections at first, but about genuine curiosity and finding that spark of commonality. Use this tips to aid in accomplishing that:
- Values Alignment: Establishing or growing community, shared values like compassion, sustainability, and health are powerful connectors. Highlight these commonalities.
- Shared Experiences: Discuss relevant industry events, documentaries, or initiatives that resonate with your audience or potential connections.
- Leverage Your Story: Share your journey as a veganpreneur, highlighting the challenges and triumphs. This creates relatability, connections, and inspires others.
- Example: “I noticed you’re involved in [a specific cause or initiative]. I’m also passionate about it, and I’d love to hear about your experiences.”
3. Empathy is the Key to Unlocking Understanding and Building Trust. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Consider their perspective, acknowledge their feelings, and offer support where needed. Show genuine interest in their thoughts and aspirations. A simple phrase like “I understand how you feel” or “That must be challenging” can go a long way.
Demonstrating empathy creates a safe space for open communication and strengthens your bond. Here are some tips to follow:
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- Acknowledge Challenges: The vegan business world can be challenging. Acknowledge the struggles of your peers and offer support.
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- Show Genuine Care: Express genuine interest in their well-being and aspirations.
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- Offer Resources and Support: Share relevant articles, connections, or resources that can help them overcome challenges. You are not the only solution. Connect them to other resources.
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Example: “I understand how challenging it can be to navigate the market. If you ever need advice or support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. If I can’t help, I may know someone I can connect you with.”
4. Nonverbal Cues Are the Unspoken Language of Rapport. Positive body language speaks volumes. Maintain an open posture, lean in during conversations, and offer genuine smiles. Mirror the other person’s mannerisms subtly to establish harmony. Be mindful of your facial expressions and avoid anything that might convey boredom or frustration. Nonverbal cues can build bridges or create walls, so be conscious of your message.
- Mindful Body Language: Be aware of your posture, eye contact, and facial expressions. Project confidence and warmth.
- Mirroring Subtly: Subtly mirroring their body language can create a sense of harmony.
- Use Visuals Effectively: When presenting or networking, use visuals that align with your brand’s values and resonate with your audience.
- Example: Maintain open body language, smile genuinely, and use visual aids that reflect your brand’s commitment to compassion and sustainability.
5. Authenticity is the Foundation of Lasting Rapport. Building genuine connections requires being your true self. Avoid pretending to be someone you’re not or forcing conversations about topics you don’t find interesting. Embrace your unique strengths and perspectives, and allow them to shine through.
People are drawn to genuine individuals, and building rapport on a foundation of authenticity creates lasting relationships. Here are a few tipcs that will help you more easily embody being more authentic.
- Embrace Your Uniqueness: Your unique perspective and experiences are your strengths. Let them shine through.
- Share Your Passion: Speak passionately about your work and your mission.
- Be Transparent: Create trust and relatability by sharing your challenges and vulnerabilities.
- Example: When I help clients create content for blog articles, lead magnet ebooks, and courses, I encourage them to share their authentic stories and values. It adds warmth and authenticity because it’s the stories that will be remembered.
Building Rapport is a Continuous Process. It requires certain things including:
- Follow Up: After networking events or meetings, follow up with personalized messages.
- Offer Value: Share relevant articles, resources, or connections that can benefit your network.
- Stay Connected: Maintain regular communication with your network.
- Create Community: Host events or online forums to foster a sense of community. Engage and grow.
- Example: Schedule regular check-ins with clients, share relevant industry updates, and create opportunities for them to connect with each other.
Rapport is a Catalyst for Impact. Building genuine rapport isn’t just a skill; it’s a movement—a catalyst for impact that reverberates through our work and beyond. As veganpreneurs and impact-driven professionals, we’re not just forging connections; we’re creating a powerful network of change, amplifying our collective message of compassion and sustainability.
This movement starts with each authentic interaction, each moment of genuine listening, and every shared value that binds us together. By cultivating these connections, we build a community capable of transforming our world.
Reflect on your next networking opportunity, client meeting, or potential collaborative partner interaction, and identify one specific way you can deepen your connection through active listening, empathy, or shared values. Then, put it into practice.
Share your experiences and insights in the comments below, or connect with me directly to explore how we can amplify your visibility and impact together. Let’s build a network of genuine connections that fuels our collective mission for a kinder, more sustainable world. Let’s make rapport a revolution.
AUTHOR: VLynn Hawkins is the CEO of Vegan Visibility Productions a full-service business development and digital marketing firm serving health and vegan entrepreneurs who are in the conversation of using lifestyle and food as medicine. She is a certified accelerated business development strategist and mindset coach, author and speaker, and helps amplify the voices of plant-based vegans to move this healthy lifestyle message forward. To find out more about VLynn and the services she offers, like building your strategic plan for 2025, visit: https://veganvisibilityproductions.com
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