What Makes Us Build Genuine Rapport with a Client Automatically or … Never!
by Maria Biquet (Greece)
What is the first thing we notice when we meet a new person?
According to a recent Harvard study the first thing our brains notice about a person is gender and race. Everything else follows: appearance, body posture and gesture, eye contact, tone of voice.
Our brains classify information automatically and draw conclusions about the person we have in front of us. After a few seconds, we have already created a “profile” of the person which includes assumptions about who they might be according to our stereotypes irrespectively of how open minded or subjective we are. Our mind classifies people in order for us to feel safe in the interaction with the “stranger” and approach or avoid them accordingly.
When we meet a new client and have noticed all of the above we try to find similarities that will help us connect with them. We try to find to which “groups” we both belong; which symbols we both recognise; which style of communication might suit them.
Source: iCN Issue 24 (Relationship Coaching); pages 51-52
About Maria Biquet
Maria Biquet is an experienced multilingual Business Consultant and Executive Coach with vast experience from diverse business fields. Maria has long experience in Strategic Marketing and in establishing companies in new markets. For more than 15 years she has studied various methodologies for self-development and change including Neuroscience in Coaching, Systemic approach, Appreciative Inquiry Approach, NLP and mindfulness techniques. She holds a University degree in Language & Linguistics and an MBA-International Marketing.
Vice President of Marketing & Communications of HCA (Hellenic Coaching Association), member of the EMCC (European Mentoring & Coaching Council). Currently is a Mentor at Orange Grove for startup companies and Cherie Blair Foundation.
Works in Greek, English and French.
