Improve your ability to model excellence. To complete this pattern, you need four people. Designate one to be the Person Being Modeled, another as the Subject who interacts with the person, a Modeler, and an Observer.

Step 1: Have the initial conversation. #

Have the Subject and the Person Being Modeled converse for about five minutes. Have the Person Being Modeled choose the topic.  Have the Modeler model the Person Being Modeled by going into second position, focusing on their most subtle muscle movements.

Step 2: Have the Modeler stand in. #

Have the Modeler stand in for the Person Being Modeled, and continue the conversation with the Subject as though he or she were the Person Being Modeled.

Step 3: Provide feedback. #

Have the Person Being Modeled and the Observer give clear feedback and coaching to the Modeler as to how accurately he or she is imitating the Person Being Modeled.

Step 4: Start a new conversation. #

Send the Modeler out of the room. Have the Subject and the Person Being Modeled converse about a new subject for about five minutes. The Subject chooses the subject this time.

Step 5: Have the modeler stand in again. #

Have the Modeler return, and again stand in for the Person Being Modeled, continuing the conversation with the Subject. The Subject tries to cover the same interaction topics in the conversation as much as possible for about five minutes.

Step 6: Provide feedback. #

Have the Subject, Observer and the Person Being Modeled give the Modeler Step feedback on how well they matched the Person Being Modeled.

Step 7: Test. #

Over the coming weeks and months, discuss how well the participants have been coming along in learning to model and establish rapport.