is like the moving version of mirroring (sometimes called pacing). In this you don’t just try to match one aspect of someone’s behaviour, you match several – up to three. As well as body language you can try and match some aspects of voice like tone, volume and speed. Because it’s moving, and uses voice as well as body language, the rapport effect is stronger. You can match a range of behaviours, for example: blinking, breathing patterns, tone and accent, speed and volume of speech, facial expression, eye contact, gestures, and language.
Spend time noticing the pattern of someone’s speech, is it fast, slow, is their voice soft, deep? Try to match them. What are their breathing patterns? (This is a useful technique when on the phone as you will lose all the signals and advantages of body language). What sort of eye contact do they have, do they look away a lot, or blink often? If they move their hands, try moving yours slightly in sympathy (only a small movement but try to match the rhythm). Voice tone, speed, volume matching is also helpful in building rapport. Ask yourself where they are? Breathing in sync will also help – so what their breathing timing and depth.
