Building Rapport Quickly: Vin Jang's Technique

Introduction

• Vin Jang, a communication skills teacher, shares a technique to build rapport quickly.
• Presented this technique to over 500 people in Sydney.
• Focus on avoiding awkward and boring small talk.
• Technique aims to deepen relationships rapidly.

Ice Breaker Technique: High Low Buffalo

Overview

• A game that helps deepen connections.
• Consists of three parts:
  • High: Something positive happening in life.
  • Low: Something negative or not favorable.
  • Buffalo: An interesting or unique fact about oneself.

Example Interaction

• Vin shares his high (signing a book deal), low (missing a gig due to daughter’s illness), and buffalo (would be a chef if not teaching).
• Partner (Phoebe) shares her high (unexpected stage time), low (colleagues leaving), and buffalo (would be a professional gamer).

Developing the Conversation

• Dive deeper into responses to build connection.
• Example: Exploring Phoebe's feeling about her team leader leaving.
• Asking follow-up questions to gain insights and open new conversation threads.

The Importance of Courage and Vulnerability

• Encourages approaching conversations with courage and vulnerability.
• Structuring interaction with personal insights invites depth.
• Avoids surface-level exchanges like typical small talk.

Benefits of High Low Buffalo

• Builds instant rapport.
• Opens multiple conversational threads.
• Allows for personal sharing and reciprocation.
• Transforms basic interaction into meaningful connection.

Conclusion

• Simple, basic technique that avoids traditional small talk pitfalls.
• Encourages direct and meaningful engagement.
• Effective tool for networking and building professional relationships.
• Emphasizes the value of human connection through structured sharing.

Additional Tips

• If others do not reciprocate, share your insights after enough questioning.
• The technique is versatile and can be used in various contexts to enhance communication.

Final Note

• Always start with the basics to ground the interaction.
• Use High Low Buffalo to uncover deeper threads and foster rapport.