Page 116 - Anne Bruce - Building A HIgh Morale Workplace (2002)

96 Building a High Morale Workplace

Mirror Body Language to Build Rapport
Body language can be very revealing and effective when try-
ing to build rapport with someone. Use body language to
convey that you’re comfortable to be with and that you’re not on the
attack or a threat to anyone.To do this, study the communication style
of the employee with whom you’re seeking to gain rapport and mirror
it to set him or her at ease. For example, if the person’s body language
is casual and laid back, then try to do the same to create a comfort
zone for better communication.

for an online or distance-learning program to improve

your communications skills.
• Work on building strong individual relationships. Build
rapport with employees by taking a genuine approach to
communicating clearly and to listening carefully to what

others are really defending. You may be surprised by what
you actually hear them saying, compared with what you
thought their attitudes were conveying.
• Try to determine where an employee’s defensive behavior
is coming from. Most people with defensive attitudes are
protecting themselves from others who they fear will

make them feel or look incompetent or unproductive.
This defensive mechanism also comes from a basic lack
of self-esteem or insecurity about a person’s own power
and status.

• Seek to find a common ground with this person.
• Try to convince the employee that you’re not an adversary
and that you want an enjoyable and mutually respectful
and productive relationship. Let the person know that you
want to learn and grow from your employees.

• Detach yourself from the attitude and defensive reactions
of the person. If you argue or act defensively, you will
lose. As the manager, you cannot afford to argue with any
of your employees. If you do this, you will lose employee

trust and only further weaken the relationship.
• You’re the manager, so remain in control at all times.
Never become defensive. Stay calm.