Developing rapport with students is important. Carson (1996) found that when alumni reflected on professors they had encountered 30 years ago, the quality most frequently associated with effective teachers was this: their attitude toward and relationship with students. In this article, the author shares the positive consequences of intentionally building rapport with his students. Classroom discussions flow more easily; student engagement (within and outside of the classroom) has increased; and he has more insight into the primary learning style of each student, his or her level of motivation for doing well in the class, etc.