The research, plainly
Chartrand and Bargh documented automatic mimicry: people unknowingly matched partners' postures and mannerisms — and partners who were subtly mirrored liked the interaction more. Rapport has mechanics, and they run below awareness.
The receipt: Chartrand & Bargh, 1999
What it means for events
Rapport is partly trainable choreography. Hosts, booth staff, and sellers who match the energy, pace, and posture of the person in front of them build comfort the script can't — meet fast talkers fast, quiet browsers quietly.
Where to run it
Staff training
Teach energy-matching explicitly: greet the sprinter at sprint pace and the wanderer at a wander.
Executive hosting
Mirror the guest's formality — the host who matches register makes candor feel safe.
Virtual presence
On camera, visible nodding and reaction mirroring substitute for the body language the medium stole.
Seen in the wild
Related concepts
Now use it
Score your own event against principles like this one — or make the whole vocabulary official.
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