Building trust and rapport with your online peers and coachees is essential for effective conflict resolution. Whether you are part of a virtual team, a network of professionals, or a coaching service, you need to establish a positive and respectful relationship with the people you interact with online. Here are some tips on how to do that.
One of the biggest challenges of online communication is the lack of non-verbal cues, such as body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions. This can lead to misunderstandings, confusion, and frustration. To avoid these, you need to communicate clearly and frequently with your online peers and coachees. Use simple and concise language, avoid jargon and slang, and check for spelling and grammar errors. Also, use different modes of communication, such as text, audio, video, and emojis, to convey your message and emotions more effectively. And don't forget to follow up, give feedback, and acknowledge the other person's input.
Another way to build trust and rapport with your online peers and coachees is to show empathy and curiosity. Empathy means putting yourself in the other person's shoes and trying to understand their perspective, feelings, and needs. Curiosity means asking open-ended questions, listening actively, and expressing interest in the other person's story, goals, and challenges. By showing empathy and curiosity, you demonstrate that you care about the other person, that you respect their views, and that you want to learn from them.
In my experience not only do you need to show empathy and curiosity in order to build trust and rapport, it needs to come from a heart of putting others first. Anyone can learn to ask questions and appear to show empathy, but you first need to examine your heart and motives. If you can't show empathy and curiosity without being motivated primarily by self interest, don't waste your time. In the end you will be found out as a fake, and any reputation you have built will be damaged for good, this goes for business and for life.
A third tip to build trust and rapport with your online peers and coachees is to share something personal and relevant. Sharing something personal means revealing a bit of yourself, such as your background, hobbies, values, or opinions. Sharing something relevant means connecting your personal story to the topic, context, or goal of the online interaction. For example, if you are coaching someone on how to deal with a difficult client, you can share a similar experience you had and how you handled it. By sharing something personal and relevant, you create a sense of commonality, authenticity, and rapport with the other person.
A fourth tip to build trust and rapport with your online peers and coachees is to respect boundaries and preferences. Boundaries and preferences refer to the limits and expectations that the other person has regarding the online interaction. For example, some people may prefer to communicate via email rather than phone, or to have a fixed schedule rather than a flexible one. To respect boundaries and preferences, you need to ask the other person about their communication style, availability, and goals, and to adapt your approach accordingly. You also need to communicate your own boundaries and preferences, and to negotiate a mutually agreeable arrangement.
A fifth tip to build trust and rapport with your online peers and coachees is to give praise and recognition. Praise and recognition mean expressing appreciation, gratitude, and admiration for the other person's achievements, contributions, and strengths. For example, you can compliment them on their work quality, thank them for their support, or acknowledge their progress. By giving praise and recognition, you boost the other person's confidence, motivation, and loyalty.
A sixth tip to build trust and rapport with your online peers and coachees is to handle conflicts constructively. Conflicts are inevitable in any relationship, especially in online settings where misunderstandings and miscommunication can occur more easily. To handle conflicts constructively, you need to adopt a collaborative and respectful attitude, rather than a defensive or aggressive one. You also need to use effective conflict resolution skills, such as identifying the root cause of the conflict, listening to the other person's point of view, expressing your own needs and feelings, finding common ground, and proposing solutions. By handling conflicts constructively, you preserve and strengthen the trust and rapport with the other person.
Yes, this is powerful. Converting conflicts effectively deepens the relationship. Embracing a collaborative and respectful approach during disputes fosters an environment where misunderstandings can be resolved, ultimately strengthening trust and rapport. Conflict resolution skills, such as identifying the root cause, actively listening, and finding common ground, paving the way for long-lasting, effective relationships. By turning conflicts into opportunities for growth and understanding, we can develop stronger connections and foster a supportive environment in our online interactions.
Eliminate gossip in your environment. By environment, I mean the literal space you and have it and influence which can be very far reaching. That means do not gossip and do not participate, whether silently or actively, in gossip in any situation. I use the definition of gossip I heard in my work with Landmark Worldwide, which is “speaking about another in their absence, in a way that leaves them diminished in the listening of another”. Creating a safe space for people to share what they are dealing with and what they are striving for, requires a safe environment. this safe environment is created in every moment of time. That includes when you are off work, sitting at a restaurant or in the grocery store.