In NLP, rapport is built by matching and mirroring the other person's communication style at both a conscious and unconscious level. The following are the key elements to match:
- Physiology — posture, rate of breathing, blinking, gestures
- Voice tonality — tonality, timbre, tempo, volume
- Predicates — words, chunk size
- Breathing — rate and depth
- Values and beliefs — what is important to the other person
Matching these elements allows you to build a deep level of trust and connection with another person. The process should be subtle and natural — not mimicry, but a genuine alignment with the other person's experience.
See also: What is NLP?