If you don’t connect with your audience – your subject – you can’t expect to be able to effectively communicate with or lead them. But people communicate and connect through much more than just words – in fact, the words we say make up only 7% of the meaning that we communicate. Strong leaders learn to use non-verbal cues to build rapport and connection.
The 3 forms of communication – why non-verbal communication matters
1. Matching and mirroring
2. Leading and pacing
3. VAK communications
Matching and Mirroring
Matching and mirroring is a powerful and simple way to build rapport by creating a common bond. People respond more favorably to others whom they perceive to be similar to themselves – so when you mirror patterns of speech, communication styles, dress or interests, you can more easily exert influence. Mirroring is especially important because it taps into the 93% of communication that is not verbal – mirroring allows you to influence another person through your tone and your physiology.
Answer the call to lead
Pacing and Leading
Level Up: When you’ve matched and mirrored your way to a strong rapport, you can begin pacing and leading. Pacing is your ability to adjust to changes your subject makes; Leading happens when you’ve built so much rapport with your subject that they begin to subconsciously mirror .
