A link between ideas and action, communication is the emotional glue that binds humans together in relationships both personal and professional. The ability to communicate creates the ability to influence in and outside of the workplace.

We use these three tactics to persuade and win people to our point of view. One is better than the others.

Rapport is the most affirmative and holistic tactic we use to establish an emotional and sympathetic relationship. We have it with some instinctively but not with others. Why?

In order to be successful at inducing rapport we need to prepare. This is an essential step. It doesn’t need to be a lengthy or involved process. In time, it will become instinctive and effortless. Practice these steps to prepare for rapport:

When you use physical mirroring in order to quickly enter into rapport, you are showing respect by going to their world and living in it with them. Mirroring is one of the socially safest and most respectful things you can do. And it is nearly undetectable to your subject. The more you do it, the easier and more natural it will be for you. Here's how.

Vocal mirroring can sometimes be more challenging than physical mirroring because, for many of us, we haven’t developed our auditory acuity at the same level as our visual skills. Still, with a little practice we can find that mirroring another person’s voice isn’t as difficult as we might think, and because the voice tends to function below most people’s awareness it can be a potent tool for making a connection.

An inability to connect with others is a central liability. How do some of us justify our unwillingness to try Mirroring in order to deepen and strengthen connections with others and what stops us when we do try?

The most outstanding leaders are the ones who have the intellectual nimbleness to focus alternately between being goal focused and social skill focused with intention and the desire to continually improve.