DRESS AND APPEARANCE
Another part of our body language is how we appear overall. We form immediate and vivid impressions of people during the first seven seconds we see them. Experts estimate that it takes another 5 minutes to add 50% more impression (negative or positive) to the impression we make in the first seven seconds. I’m talking about emotional impressions rather than ...content, or intellectual impressions.
Since clothing covers 90% of our persona, we need to be aware of what our clothes are communicating. Dress consciously and appropriately for the image you want to project. The effect of your initial appearance on others is far greater than you think. It is not a superficial thing, but communicates extensively to others how you feel about yourself.
Individuals have preferred comfort levels of closeness to others. The space varies by culture, but the norm in American society seems to be a physical proximity of approximately 18 inches for intimate relationships, 18 inches to four feet for personal friends, four feet to eight feet for social acquaintances, and eight feet and outward for others.
ESTABLISHING RAPPORT
Rapport can be an excellent tool that produces positive results and enhances communication results. Rapport can help us achieve success. We build rapport by paying attention, listening actively, and acting on what we learn.
In face-to-face conversations, physical positioning and pacing can help establish rapport. Keep in mind every person has different personal space issues. Sometimes moving slightly to the left of another seems less threatening and makes communication easier and more effective.
Pacing is a method of mirroring behavior that helps establish rapport. The listener focuses on who the speaker is and what she or he is saying. The listener then makes a conscious effort to overcome the differences between them. The sooner the sender and listener/receiver find common ground, the sooner they will communicate at a comfortable level, and the opportunity for mutual understanding will be improved.
Pacing is an effective, nonverbal way to establish rapport with another person. Sometimes, in pacing, you can gain a real understanding of the other’s thoughts and even emotions. Your movements should be subtle and discreet and in good taste, also. Avoid mimicking the other person, which would cause a breakdown in the communication process.
Some guidelines for pacing are:
• Match your voice rate with the other person’s rate.
• Match your voice volume.
• Use some of the same words and phrases of the speaker.
• Use similar gestures.
• Breathe at about the same rate without being obvious.
Keys to pacing are:
• Focused observation
• Complete flexibility
• Tuned-in listening
Pacing can seem very artificial at first. You already pace others, even though you are probably unaware of it. Anytime we become conscious of our behavior, we tend to feel awkward.
Another part of our body language is how we appear overall. We form immediate and vivid impressions of people during the first seven seconds we see them. Experts estimate that it takes another 5 minutes to add 50% more impression (negative or positive) to the impression we make in the first seven seconds. I’m talking about emotional impressions rather than ...content, or intellectual impressions.
Since clothing covers 90% of our persona, we need to be aware of what our clothes are communicating. Dress consciously and appropriately for the image you want to project. The effect of your initial appearance on others is far greater than you think. It is not a superficial thing, but communicates extensively to others how you feel about yourself.
Individuals have preferred comfort levels of closeness to others. The space varies by culture, but the norm in American society seems to be a physical proximity of approximately 18 inches for intimate relationships, 18 inches to four feet for personal friends, four feet to eight feet for social acquaintances, and eight feet and outward for others.
ESTABLISHING RAPPORT
Rapport can be an excellent tool that produces positive results and enhances communication results. Rapport can help us achieve success. We build rapport by paying attention, listening actively, and acting on what we learn.
In face-to-face conversations, physical positioning and pacing can help establish rapport. Keep in mind every person has different personal space issues. Sometimes moving slightly to the left of another seems less threatening and makes communication easier and more effective.
Pacing is a method of mirroring behavior that helps establish rapport. The listener focuses on who the speaker is and what she or he is saying. The listener then makes a conscious effort to overcome the differences between them. The sooner the sender and listener/receiver find common ground, the sooner they will communicate at a comfortable level, and the opportunity for mutual understanding will be improved.
Pacing is an effective, nonverbal way to establish rapport with another person. Sometimes, in pacing, you can gain a real understanding of the other’s thoughts and even emotions. Your movements should be subtle and discreet and in good taste, also. Avoid mimicking the other person, which would cause a breakdown in the communication process.
Some guidelines for pacing are:
• Match your voice rate with the other person’s rate.
• Match your voice volume.
• Use some of the same words and phrases of the speaker.
• Use similar gestures.
• Breathe at about the same rate without being obvious.
Keys to pacing are:
• Focused observation
• Complete flexibility
• Tuned-in listening
Pacing can seem very artificial at first. You already pace others, even though you are probably unaware of it. Anytime we become conscious of our behavior, we tend to feel awkward.
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