September 2021

View our original newsletter here: Mimicry: One Tool to Build Trust

Mimicry: One Tool to Build Trust

We naturally mimic people we like, which makes them like us more. If your gestures follow the other person’s gestures, you are signaling that you are paying attention to them. If you are paying attention to them, the interpretation is that you must care about them. And since caring is one of the essential elements in establishing credibility, the person will interpret your mirroring gestures as an illustration of how trustworthy you are.

Social science has tended to focus on mirroring as an in-person technique. However, we can also use mirroring in our writing to establish and build trust.

How exactly can you use mimicry in your writing to build trust with your audience?

Quick Tip: Mirror the language of the person you are trying to connect with or persuade.



Don't Just Take Our Word For It

See what other industry experts are saying about mimicry and building trust...

The Surprising Truth About Why We Tend To Imitate Others"Have you ever noticed how synchronized your reactions are with the person you talk to? A common human behavior classified as “mirroring” has been known and studied by psychologists for a long time. We all tend to mimic gestures of people we like and we do it subconsciously. But why do we act like this? Is there any special reason for that?..."

The Surprising Truth About Why We Tend To Imitate Others

"Have you ever noticed how synchronized your reactions are with the person you talk to? A common human behavior classified as “mirroring” has been known and studied by psychologists for a long time. We all tend to mimic gestures of people we like and we do it subconsciously. But why do we act like this? Is there any special reason for that?..."

Use Mirroring to Connect With Others"It is a common experience: You’re deep in conversation with someone and suddenly realize you’re both holding the same pose, leaning forward and propping an elbow on the table. Or you notice you’re suddenly starting to pick up the other person’s Southern accent or fast, loud speech. Mirroring a conversation partner’s gestures, expressions, posture, vocal pitch or tone can reflect rapport or a desire to please, research shows..."

Use Mirroring to Connect With Others

"It is a common experience: You’re deep in conversation with someone and suddenly realize you’re both holding the same pose, leaning forward and propping an elbow on the table. Or you notice you’re suddenly starting to pick up the other person’s Southern accent or fast, loud speech. Mirroring a conversation partner’s gestures, expressions, posture, vocal pitch or tone can reflect rapport or a desire to please, research shows..."

Go Further

Want to know where we got this tip? A variety of resources. But the book The Secret of Our Success by Joseph Henrich gives some great information about human collectivity and social interconnectivity!

"Drawing insights from lost European explorers, clever chimpanzees, mobile hunter-gatherers, neuroscientific findings, ancient bones, and the human genome, Joseph Henrich demonstrates how our collective brains have propelled our species' genetic evolution and shaped our biology..."

"Drawing insights from lost European explorers, clever chimpanzees, mobile hunter-gatherers, neuroscientific findings, ancient bones, and the human genome, Joseph Henrich demonstrates how our collective brains have propelled our species' genetic evolution and shaped our biology..."

Quote of the Month

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” - Oscar Wilde