Six Quick Things on Rapport

When people were talking ‘behaviour’, Jim Roberson was talking ‘discipline’.

When people were talking ‘exam preparation’, Jim was talking ‘coaching’.

And now people are talking ‘relationships’, Jim is talking ‘rapport’.

There’s no-one quite like Jim.

As an experienced and successful teacher who has dedicated his life to working with young people from some of the country’s most socio-economically challenged areas, he knows a thing or two about what it takes to help young people get the best out of school and beyond.

And rapport is his secret weapon.

So, we asked him for Six Quick Things on the subject of rapport and this is what he had to say (and you can scroll down to see the man himself):

1. Relationships v Rapport

"The difference between relationships and rapport is that with rapport you have an instant connection. It’s not about whether you like someone or not or whether they like you, whether you get along or don’t get along. It’s about what they expect from me and what I expect from them. And being consistent with it.

2. Rapport Leads to Healthy Relationships

Rapport is the main ingredient to then developing healthy teacher and student relationships. They understand a bit more about my background. I understand better theirs. Setting up opportunities to build rapport. They understand that I’m a professional here offering a service. I have something to offer and I get to give back.

3. Rapport Is Not About Conformity

It’s not about conformity. It’s not about ‘Do as I say do’ or be punished. It’s not about doing something because you like a certain teacher.

4. Rapport Helps Students Do The Right Thing

It's about getting the students to see that doing the right thing that matters. Through rapport, if you mess up, it doesn’t make me mad at you, it doesn’t put me off you. Rapport allows me to focus on the expectations of what to do next time.

5. Rapport Builds Trust and Influence

Through rapport you create common positive effects such as trust, engagement and respect. That connection can then influence their academic success and their successes in the future as you highlight the true power of an education.

6. Four Steps to Building Rapport with Students and Staff.

1. Appearance - what they see when they see you. What you communicate without saying a word

2. Communication - your vibe, your impact around the school with the students. I’ve never walked through a hallway without speaking to a young person!

3. Classroom – having that ethos about what education can do for your life. It’s not only a game changer, it’s a free game changer!

4. Compassion - your human side, what you see in them, the potential you see in them.

The use of rapport, it has enabled me to unleash my real superhero on my students.

And on my school every day."

Jim Roberson

To find out more about Jim’s amazing work with teachers and with young people themselves, check out his profile here.

And here is more information about another game changer - his unique Exam Success Coaching Programme.

To find out more about tapping into some of the inimitable Jim ‘vibe' for your school or organisation, give us a call on 01267 211432, email us or fill in the form below.

We are sure you'll agree that, in the words of so many of the young people Jim works with, he’s quite simply a ‘legend’.