“Conversation Starter Lesson Series: Upper-Intermediate” is designed for intermediate-level ESL learners who want to improve their fluency and confidence in speaking English.
Each lesson includes an engaging reading material with audio, vocabulary and expressions, comprehension questions, and discussion questions to be used for one to one class, group class, or self-study for both online and offline classes.
Unit 6: Business and Entrepreneurship
Story 04: Building Rapport in the Workplace: Strategies for Success
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- rapport
- collaborative
- empathize
- foundation
- perspective
- nodding
- approachability
- camaraderie
- break the ice
- working relationships
Read or Listen to the following passage:
Building rapport in the workplace is essential for creating a positive work environment where individuals feel comfortable and motivated to work collaboratively towards common goals. Rapport refers to the ability to establish a relationship of mutual trust and understanding with another person. Building rapport requires a combination of verbal and nonverbal communication skills, as well as a willingness to listen and empathize with others.
One of the key strategies for building rapport in the workplace is to actively listen to your colleagues. This means paying attention to what they say, asking questions, and providing feedback. Active listening can help you understand your colleagues’ perspectives and build a foundation of trust and respect.
Another important strategy is to use positive body language. This includes making eye contact, smiling, nodding, and using open body language. Positive body language can help convey a sense of openness and approachability, which can be particularly important when meeting new colleagues or trying to establish a positive working relationship with someone.
Sharing common interests and experiences can also help build rapport in the workplace. Look for opportunities to connect with your colleagues over shared hobbies, interests, or experiences. This can help break the ice and create a sense of camaraderie that can help strengthen your working relationships.
Comprehension Questions:
- What is rapport and why is it important in the workplace?
- What are some strategies for actively listening to your colleagues?
- Why is positive body language important for building rapport?
- How can sharing common interests and experiences help build rapport?
- What are some benefits of building rapport in the workplace?
Conversations Starters:
- What strategies have you used to build rapport with your colleagues, and which ones have been the most effective?
- How important is empathy in building strong working relationships, and how do you show empathy towards your colleagues and clients?
- In your opinion, how much does positive body language contribute to creating a positive work environment, and what are some examples of positive body language you use in the workplace?
- How do you foster camaraderie among coworkers, and what benefits does a strong sense of camaraderie bring to the workplace?
- Can you share an experience where you had to break the ice with a colleague or client, and what strategies did you use to do so?
- What is your perspective on collaboration in the workplace, and how do you ensure effective collaboration with your colleagues and partners?
- What is the foundation of a strong working relationship, and how can you establish that foundation with a new colleague or client?
- How approachable do you consider yourself to be in the workplace, and what actions do you take to make yourself more approachable to others?
- Can you share a personal experience where building rapport with a client or colleague was challenging, and how did you overcome that challenge?
- What do you think are the most important factors for creating and maintaining positive working relationships, and how do you prioritize those factors in your own work interactions?
