How to build rapport with your co-workers in 2024

Know How to build rapport with your co-workers in 2024

What is Rapport?

Rapport may seem like a strange word when talking about the workplace, and it can be not easy to understand what someone means when they talk about the importance of building relationships.

If you look up the word ‘rapport’ in the dictionary, you will find that it means ‘the ability to have a good understanding and to communicate with someone.’

So, the relationship is about building relationships with the people around you.

People make connections with others every day, often without knowing it.

You smile at the person you talk to at the supermarket, another parent in the school playground, or the receptionist at the doctor’s surgery. These are all examples of situations where it is possible to build relationships.

In the work environment, improving rapport specifically means building relationships with coworkers, customers, and managers.

This may look like employees who are friends outside of the work environment, a cohesive working environment, or good communication between departments that work together.

Building a good rapport with your coworkers is especially useful when situations that require teamwork arise.

Working as part of a team to achieve a shared goal is much more easily navigated if you have positive relationships with those you work with.

What are the benefits of having a good rapport with your coworkers?

 The need for good coordination is universal. Humans are naturally sociable creatures; Plus, all jobs require teamwork at some point.

No matter what your job involves, even if you generally work alone, there will be people you will need to connect with regularly.

This can be a challenge if there is a hostile relationship between coworkers.

Encouraging good rapport with coworkers can also help boost how people feel about their jobs, making them more engaged and increasing productivity.

If people are happy in their workplace, it naturally becomes an environment where people choose to spend their time and energy.

This, in turn, helps build a sense of belonging and will encourage employee loyalty.

Businesses that have a strong bond between workers will often see very little employee turnover. If employees are happy, they are less likely to move on.

A good rapport on a personal level can be beneficial for you as an individual.

Some examples are listed below:

Suppose you are in a position of authority at work (for example, a manager or supervisor). In that case, having a good rapport with your coworkers will help offer advice or necessary criticism. If you have a good relationship with your team, they will be more receptive to suggested improvements and changes.

When looking for a promotion or ways to advance within your industry, having good working relationships will help improve your professional reputation.

In the future, people will be more willing to provide good references if they’ve had a positive experience working with you.

Customer-facing jobs benefit from good rapport because customers will have a better experience as they connect with the positive energy of the workplace. If they are in an environment where all employees get along, they are more likely to respond well and return.

When you get along well with your coworkers, you can more easily ask for help when you’re struggling. Positive relationships mean that your coworkers will seem more approachable and vice versa.

Those in sales positions would find building rapport with their customers very useful. Customers who feel they have been listened to and received warmly are more likely to be receptive to purchasing your products or services.

From a social perspective, good rapport can lead to long-lasting friendships outside the workplace. Some relationships built on rapport will last long after you move on to other positions.

How to build rapport with your coworkers

Building good relationships with coworkers can seem daunting if you’re not naturally social.

The good news is that you don’t need to be anything other than yourself.

While extroverts naturally find it a little easier to talk to people they don’t know well, there are some key skills that introverts can use, too.

When someone starts a new job, it is challenging for him. They will come to a new environment with established relationships and need clarification on how things work.

Making a concerted effort to be friendly will quickly help build rapport with the new employee and put them at ease.

Think about how you want to be greeted in a new role

Making sure new employees are quickly made to feel welcome benefits will help ensure they settle into their new role quickly with less anxiety.

Remember people’s names.

Remembering someone’s name can be important when starting a relationship.

Instead of thinking of someone as the ‘accounts thing’ or ‘the guy with the beard,’ remembering names helps people feel special and valued, as if they’ve made an impression on you.

If you work somewhere with many employees, it can feel like a challenge to remember everyone, but it’s worth the effort, even if you only remember the names of your closest associates. Try to write people’s names as soon as possible after meeting them or attach photos of their work to their work email.

If you forget someone’s name, a good trick is to write it down somewhere, such as on a form, and ask them how they write it. Or you can bond with them over the universally disliked ID photo to get a look at their name.

Ask about non-work related things

While you can’t spend all your work time chatting, there are times when it may be appropriate to discuss non-work-related things.

A quick chat about how someone’s weekend went can do wonders for improving rapport. If a coworker is making coffee or having lunch with you, try asking something non-work related (perhaps where they got their recipe or what kind of coffee they like).

Top 78 Points about Rapport

1. You were college rivals, always rooting against each other’s sports teams.
2. You participated in the same club activity in college – maybe student government, a cappella, or intramural sports.
3. You’re from the same hometown and experienced the same local traditions and hangout spots growing up.
4. You both grew up in rural towns and moved to the big city for college.
5. You have similar immigrant backgrounds and can relate to each other’s cultural upbringing.
6. You drove the same embarrassing, old car model in college that always seemed to break down.
7. You attended the same historic events, like a championship game or political rally, while in college.
8. You bonded over sharing similar awkward, rebellious, or challenging experiences growing up.
9. You connected in college over knowing the same second language from childhood.
10. You backpacked through Europe together one summer during college.
11. You were both new to campus and helped each other navigate and adjust initially.
12. A formative tragedy struck while you were both in school that impacted you similarly.
13. Whether you’re nurturing little ones or envisioning future families.
14. Finding resonance in your shared cultural roots, whether expansive or intimate.
15. Uniting over mutual appreciation for holidays, especially those rare gems.
16. Embracing the chaos or serenity of family dynamics.
17. Bonding over pets that bring joy to your lives.
18. Celebrating similarities in birth order or sibling relationships.
19. Opting for alternative paths sans parenthood to focus on personal pursuits.
20. Finding common ground in crafting, from knitting to app development.
21. Exploring creativity through art, photography, or admiration for others’ work.
22. Immersing yourselves in nature, whether hiking or loathing camping escapades.
23. Harmonizing over shared musical passions or instruments played.
24. Sharing fervor for sports teams, athletic pursuits, or live events.
25. Delving into shared interests like podcast listening or book reading.
26. Basking in the magic of shared TV shows, movies, or documentaries.
27. Grooving to the same beats or building a music collection together.
28. Engaging in friendly competition through video or board games.
29. Indulging in mutual spending habits on shared luxuries.
30. Recalling encounters with the famous or revering common idols.
31. Chuckling over reality TV guilty pleasures.
32. Planning joint ventures to conferences or conventions.
33. Immersing yourselves in the latest tech trends and innovations.
34. Delving into shared passions for collecting or fashion.
35. Bonding over a mutual obsession with cinema.
36. Pioneering new tech frontiers as early adopters.
37. Embarking on historical quests together.
38. Sharing thoughts and experiences through blogging or writing endeavors.
39. Admiring and emulating shared role models.
40. Pursuing the pinnacle of health through biohacking and philosophical discussions.
41. Crafting shared workspaces that reflect your unique styles.
42. Navigating career paths with shared goals and motivations.
43. Aligning in career choices and company affiliations.
44. Weathering the storms of startup life together.
45. Reflecting on shared humble beginnings in the workforce.
46. Exploring entrepreneurship together, even outside of your main careers.
47. Collaborating to enhance critical career skills.
48. Embracing career transitions and changes with shared perspectives.
49. Networking with shared professional circles and opinions.
50. Preparing together for professional certifications.
51. Sharing common anxieties and fears outside the realm of politics.
52. Bonding over shared annoyances and pet peeves.
53. Finding common ground in seasonal preferences.
54. Embracing your shared chronotype quirks.
55. Navigating social nuances together, whether introverted, extroverted, or ambiverted.
56. Celebrating shared quirks and idiosyncrasies.
57. Commiserating over shared allergies and coping strategies.
58. Syncing daily routines and rituals for solidarity.
59. Sharing laughter over a mutual sense of humor.
60. Exchanging tales of wild roommates or eccentric neighbors.
61. Embracing your distinctive nicknames.
62. Savoring culinary delights and swapping restaurant recommendations.
63. Reveling in shared gastronomic passions and preferences.
64. Nurturing a shared commitment to healthy eating and lifestyle.
65. Collaborating in the kitchen to explore culinary horizons.
66. Indulging in nostalgia with regional culinary favorites.
67. Planning holiday feasts filled with cherished family recipes.
68. Bonding over shared dietary choices and culinary adventures.
69. Mastering the art of grilling, smoking, or barbecuing together.
70. Prioritizing nutrition, efficiency, and meal prep for a shared vision of wellness.
71. Dreaming up retirement plans that align seamlessly.
72. Crafting travel itineraries that mirror your shared wanderlust.
73. Sharing experiences of living abroad or aspirations for future adventures.
74. Setting New Year’s resolutions in sync or supporting each other through their abandonment.
75. Pursuing shared goals and ambitions for the year ahead.
76. Embracing new skills, hobbies, or club memberships as a duo.
77. Reflecting on childhood dreams and aspirations.
78. Nurturing entrepreneurial dreams and ambitions side by side.