Developing rapport

Definition

Developing rapport refers to the process of building a mutual trust and understanding between an interviewer and a source or subject. This connection is crucial for encouraging open communication, fostering honesty, and creating a comfortable environment where the source feels valued and willing to share information. Strong rapport can significantly enhance the quality of the information obtained during interviews, making it an essential skill for effective reporting.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Building rapport can involve finding common interests or experiences that help create a bond between the interviewer and the source.
2. Good rapport can lead to more candid responses from subjects, making it easier to gather accurate and rich information.
3. Effective pre-interview research can provide valuable context that aids in rapport-building by identifying topics of interest or relevance to the source.
4. Using open-ended questions during an interview can facilitate a more natural conversation, helping to strengthen rapport.
5. Taking time to establish rapport at the beginning of an interview can significantly impact the overall success and quality of the interview.

Review Questions

• How does developing rapport enhance the quality of information obtained during interviews?
  • Developing rapport creates an environment of trust where sources feel comfortable sharing information. When a source trusts the interviewer, they are more likely to provide candid answers and deeper insights. This openness leads to richer, more accurate data being gathered during interviews, ultimately improving the overall quality of reporting.
• Discuss how effective pre-interview research contributes to building rapport with interview subjects.
  • Effective pre-interview research allows interviewers to understand their subjects better by identifying shared interests or relevant experiences. This knowledge enables interviewers to approach subjects with informed questions that resonate with them, making it easier to establish a connection. A solid foundation built on research not only facilitates rapport but also demonstrates respect for the subject's time and perspective.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of consistently developing rapport on an interviewer’s career in reporting.
  • Consistently developing rapport can have significant long-term benefits for an interviewer's career in reporting. Building strong relationships with sources leads to a network of trusted contacts who may provide exclusive insights or information in the future. This established credibility enhances the reporter's reputation within their field, potentially leading to better stories and opportunities for collaboration. Moreover, a reputation for cultivating trust can attract more high-profile subjects willing to engage openly with reporters.

Related terms

Active Listening: The practice of fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what the other person is saying, which helps in establishing rapport.

Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, allowing for deeper connections and trust between interviewer and source.

Nonverbal Communication: The use of body language, facial expressions, and gestures to convey feelings and attitudes, which can significantly impact rapport-building.