Despite the growing body of standards of qualitative best practice, such as interview design and new methods of data collection, various elements of the qualitative process remain ill-defined. These elements -- specifically the ambiguous, broad axiological concepts addressing the relationship built with the participant -- are continuously discussed as vital values in the practice of the qualitative paradigm but are not given similar weight and standards of best practice. We propose an integration of Patton's strategies of qualitative inquiries with counseling microskills, particularly those identified and described by psychologist Allen Ivey, as a mechanism of addressing relationship-building and rapport in qualitative research. These microskills, which include foundations of a working relationship, relationship building, attending skills, reflecting skills, and summarization, provide a framework for acting on the strategies of voice, perspective, and reflexivity; personal experience and engagement; empathic neutrality and mindfulness; context, sensitivity, and holistic understanding; and unique case orientation. This integration provides a pathway for qualitative researchers to act on the values of the field thus potentially increasing the validity and trustworthiness of qualitative findings. Discussion of the applicability of counseling microskills to qualitative interviewing, as well as implications for qualitative inquiry is included.