Why is it so much easier to build rapport with some people than others?!
We all know that better rapport means better relationships but obviously it’s much easier to build rapport with some people than others. With people who seem similar to us it can feel so familiar and almost effortless! With people that we appear to have some common ground with – it can often feel fairly easy. With people very different to ourselves - naturally it’ll feel like considerably more effort.
Service Animals® gives us a simple, effective, memorable shorthand (or de-coder) to help us get better at ‘reading’ people. Being good at reading people gives us the ability to build even better rapport with them. Even with those tricker people! 😉
When you study our model you can see the animals next to each other and those who are opposite each other. Those next to our own you’ll recognise and appreciate some of commonalities and will be able to build on them. Below are some tips on how to build better rapport with Animal styles next to our own.
Remember! We all have 1-2 secondary styles – dialling these characteristics up can also enable us to build even better rapport! 😉
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Why is it that it’s so much harder to get along with some people than others?
Chances are, these people have Animal styles opposite to our own. This is most likely THE reason why we might struggle to build rapport and develop relationships with them.
Common dilemmas might be:
I’m a Dolphin and my boss is a Panther – how can we have a good relationship?
My new client appears to be an Owl and I’m a Peacock – how can I keep them on side?
Take a look at our tips below. They will help you build better rapport with your opposite Animals and ultimately better rapport means better relationships.
You’re welcome 😉
Tips for Owls when dealing with Peacocks
✅ Be more relaxed and informal; smile and eye contact, be more responsive to what they are saying (nodding, etc.)
✅ More focus on people over task; start interactions by asking how they are before talking business, make a little time for chit-chat.
✅ Dial up your pace slightly when speaking and move with a sense of urgency. Use more examples and stories – bring the data, facts and stats to life! Scale back on detail – Peacocks want headlines and salient points.
Tips for Peacocks when dealing with Owls
✅ Be more formal and less animated – be aware of how much you might be talking vs listening.
✅ More focus on task than people; get on with talking business – scale back on chit chat and small talk!
✅ Dial down your pace slightly when speaking, focus on providing key, relevant information. Slow down movement and be more considered.
✅ Include relevant facts and stats in your stories, anecdotes and examples. Be prepared for Owls to check and ask questions and have all the info ready!
Tips for Dolphins when dealing with Panthers
✅ Be more formal and direct; get to the point quickly, be alert, clear and confident.
✅ More focus on task over people; be prepared to jump straight into business, chit chat is not important for busy Panthers.
✅ Dial up your pace slightly when speaking and move with a bit more sense of urgency.
✅ Structure and plan (if possible) what you want to say – stick to key facts and don’t waffle! Listen and check for understanding but don’t interrupt.
Tips for Panthers when dealing with Dolphins
✅ Be more informal and relaxed, you’ll appear more approachable. Make them feel heard and listened to.
✅ More focus on people than task; build in time for a chat, ask them how they are – show you care.
✅ Dial down your pace slightly when speaking, pause so they can take in what you’re saying. Casual, relaxed movement puts Dolphins at ease.
✅ Share background, examples and stories – help Dolphins understand key messages. They seek to understand; providing context gives more meaning.
Want to discover yours and your teams’ Animal styles? Book a demo, we’ll give you an overview of our own profiling tool interactive video experience, you’ll get to see samples of our reports and purchase licences.