Some people we just get on with from the first meeting. You understand each other. You’re comfortable with each other. It’s clear you’re the same sort of people somehow, even though you’ve only just met.
It’s a privileged relationship that creates trust and confidence to drive projects forward faster and easier.
Briefings are clear, ideas come naturally and reporting back is just what the other party wants.
Opportunities to collaborate naturally multiply. Great work is done and huge value delivered.
This is a step further than just delivering against skill expectations. This is rapport in action.
But it doesn’t necessarily come naturally. Just as often we are working with people we don’t click with, and try as we may, the relationship is just awkward. The conversation doesn’t flow and trust doesn’t develop despite being able to deliver on skill. This lack of rapport can curtail your ambitious plans and the value you are seen to deliver. We need to learn how to related to people who are not like us and help them trust us. This means increasing empathy and adapting communication styles.
