Establishing rapport goes beyond casual conversation; rapport is vital to trust, understanding, and communication in personal and professional settings. Whether you are networking, managing teams, or engaging casually, learning strategies for developing rapport can allow you to engage with people meaningfully. Many people feel apprehensive about creating rapport with others, and they may solely focus on the content of what they will say, instead of creating genuine engagement.

The Nexus Expert Research guide provides actionable strategies on how to develop rapport with a person, based on behavioral insight and effective communication, that reflect naturally and confidently.

1. Practice Active Listening

Active listening is one of the most effective ways to create rapport. It means you are being fully attentive to the speaker, not interrupting them, and thoughtfully responding to them. For instance, instead of giving an immediate opinion, you can paraphrase what the person has shared, “So what you mean is.” This shows you are investing in their perspective. Surveys and studies of communication show that people are more willing to share and trust someone they perceive as listening. Active listening moves your conversation along, changing it from surface-level, small talk to meaningful conversation, and serves as one of the first ways to create rapport.

2. Mirror Body Language

When it comes to connecting with other people, what you don’t say is as important as what you do say. Subtly mirroring someone’s movements, postures, or tone of voice builds a connection at an unconscious level and shows the other person you are empathizing with them. For example, if a person begins to join you or lean forward slightly, it is appropriate to follow suit, as it shows you are with them. This creates a degree of comfort and trust, and is a good way to build rapport without being odd.

3. Ask Open-Ended Questions

Using open questions helps elicit deeper responses and keep conversations going. Rather than asking, “Did you enjoy the event?” try asking, “What did you enjoy most about the event?” Open questions help to reveal personal experiences, interests, and opinions. Asking open questions is one of the most powerful ways to demonstrate genuine curiosity and respect for the other person’s perspective, and is foundational to how to build rapport with someone.

4. Show Genuine Empathy

Empathy defines the capacity to identify present and previous feelings in others, the value of the way simply acknowledging a person’s feelings can validate their experience and create trust. Honesty and belief in one’s genuine and authentic empathy convey that you care about the feelings the individual is experiencing, not just the interaction’s outcome. Empathy plays a major role in how to make rapport, commonly in situations of professional or sensitive conversations.

5. Identify Common Ground

In the same way that empathy helps to create rapport, and personally relatable interests, goals, or experiences with a person can immediately ease any initial tension. Identifying a common interest could be a hobby you both share or common grounds such as a favorite sports team, a friend’s friend, or a shared experience brings comfort to engagement. In addition, in a networking round with professionals or peers, you can observe shared sectors, industries, or a problem that opens the door to a conversation about a shared professional goal. Remembering to listen and observe the connections builds rapport and demonstrates, subtly, a method of engaging the people who assist in making rapport.

6. Maintain Positive Body Language

Your stance, expressions, and gestures say a lot. An open stance, a genuine smile, and appropriate eye contact indicate warmth and self-assurance. Positive body language supports verbal communication and enhances the impression you make on others. Once you learn how to be aware of these communications, you support how to build rapport with that person, and make it more welcoming and trustworthy.

7. Adapt to Communication Styles

Not everyone communicates in the same way, and understanding another person’s communication style can help build rapport quickly. Some people communicate very concisely and directly, while some people are storytellers and like to add detail. With careful attention and flexibility in your own communication, you can display social awareness and respect for that person’s style. When you adjust your own communication to accommodate that other person’s preferences, you demonstrate you are considering the other person, which is a subtle but effective way to connect

8. Give Sincere Compliments

Sincere compliments show that you are paying attention, and they create positive emotional responses. Instead of giving a general compliment where anyone can feel flattered, give a compliment that identifies specific actions, skills, or accomplishments: “I really appreciate how clearly you elaborated that idea-based instead; it made a huge difference for me.” Thoughtful compliments will develop trust and warmth, which are the foundations for how to make rapport, and allow others to remember you positively.

9. Share Personal Stories

Helpful self-disclosure promotes reciprocity and connection. By sharing personal experiences or stories, an individual creates common ground with others, making them feel more comfortable responding in kind. For example, telling the other person about a professional obstacle you overcame can elicit a similar story from them and show mutual understanding. Sharing stories is one of the best ways to build rapport, as it humanizes you and makes conversation enjoyable.

10. Follow Up Consistently

Rapport is not built in one conversation; it is built over a period of time. After you meet with someone, sending a thoughtful follow-up note or email, remembering what the other person shares with you, or acknowledging life milestones, reinforces reliability and investment in the relationship. The more you follow up with someone, the more trust is reinforced, and the bond develops into a long-term relationship.

Conclusion

Developing rapport is an important skill that can help to foster meaningful and productive relationships. You can authentically connect with anyone by utilizing these rapport-building techniques, active listening, empathy, mirroring, and consistent follow-up. Knowing how to develop rapport and build rapport with someone ensures that the interactions you have are engaging, respectful, and will last.

If you are a professional or individual interested in improving your communication skills, these strategies from Nexus Expert Research are a practical, research-supported roadmap to build trust, develop understanding, and deepen every personal or professional relationship you build.