How do you know if you have a good rapport with business partners?

1 Listen and empathize

One of the key indicators of a good rapport is how well you listen and empathize with your business partners. Listening and empathizing means paying attention to what they say, how they say it, and what they feel. It also means acknowledging their perspectives, validating their emotions, and showing genuine interest in their needs and goals. When you listen and empathize, you demonstrate that you care about your business partners and that you value their input and feedback.

2 Share and reciprocate

Another sign of a good rapport is how much you share and reciprocate with your business partners. Sharing and reciprocating means offering information, insights, resources, and support that can benefit your business partners and their projects. It also means giving credit, recognition, and appreciation to your business partners for their contributions and achievements. When you share and reciprocate, you create a sense of mutual benefit and gratitude that strengthens your rapport.

3 Communicate and align

A third sign of a good rapport is how effectively you communicate and align with your business partners. Communicating and aligning means using clear, concise, and respectful language that avoids jargon, ambiguity, and assumptions. It also means ensuring that you have a common understanding of the expectations, objectives, and outcomes of your collaboration. When you communicate and align, you reduce the risk of misunderstandings, conflicts, and delays that can damage your rapport.

4 Adapt and compromise

A fourth sign of a good rapport is how well you adapt and compromise with your business partners. Adapting and compromising means being flexible, open-minded, and willing to adjust your approach, style, and preferences to suit different situations, preferences, and needs. It also means finding a balance between your own interests and those of your business partners, and resolving any disagreements or issues in a constructive and respectful way. When you adapt and compromise, you show that you respect your business partners' diversity and that you can work together harmoniously.

5 Learn and grow

A fifth sign of a good rapport is how much you learn and grow with your business partners. Learning and growing means seeking feedback, advice, and guidance from your business partners to improve your skills, knowledge, and performance. It also means providing feedback, advice, and guidance to your business partners to help them improve their skills, knowledge, and performance. When you learn and grow, you foster a culture of continuous improvement and mutual support that enhances your rapport.

6 Enjoy and have fun

A sixth sign of a good rapport is how much you enjoy and have fun with your business partners. Enjoying and having fun means finding moments of humor, joy, and positivity in your collaboration, and celebrating your successes and milestones together. It also means being authentic, friendly, and respectful in your interactions, and expressing your personality and emotions. When you enjoy and have fun, you create a bond of trust, friendship, and loyalty that sustains your rapport.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?