Hey everyone! I’m Araf Bin Tarek, and I’m thrilled to finally join this space. I’ve spent the last decade obsessed with a single question: How do some people walk into a room and instantly command trust, while others—with the same skills—go unheard? My journey to find the answer took me from student debating in Bangladesh and Malaysia to the corporate boardrooms of Southeast Asia, and eventually to the UK, where I now lead multi-million-pound fundraising campaigns for NRB Hospital. Whether I was lecturing at Kingston University or helping developers grow at Showwcase, I realized that the "missing link" in most careers isn't technical skill—it’s The Rapport Factor. 🌍 What I’ve learned along the way: - Negotiation isn't a battle: It’s an exercise in structured empathy. - Public Speaking isn't about the stage: It’s about the person in the back row feeling seen. - Leadership isn't a title: It’s the ability to persuade people toward a shared vision (like building a 250-bed hospital from the ground up!). I’m currently bridging the worlds of healthcare impact and professional empowerment, but my true passion lies in helping others master the art of the "meaningful connection." So, I decided to start "THE RAPPORT NETWORK" I’m building a community right here dedicated to connecting, persuading, and leading. This isn't just about "networking"—it’s about mastering public speaking, high-stakes negotiation, and the structured conversations that actually move the needle in life and business. I’d love to get to know you all: What is the ONE communication challenge that has held you back from your next big promotion or deal? Let’s solve it together. Looking forward to building with you all! 🚀 #TheRapportNetwork #PublicSpeaking #Leadership #Networking #GrowthMindset

I launched The Rapport Network because of a gap I saw growing up in Bangladesh and working across Southeast Asia. In our part of the world, we are incredible at studying. We’ll memorize the entire syllabus to get the 'A.' But how to actually talk to people? How to negotiate your worth, handle a high-stakes conflict, or lead a team with empathy? That is never on the syllabus. I’ve seen so many brilliant, hardworking people from South Asia and beyond hit a 'glass ceiling'—not because they aren't smart enough, but because they weren't taught the soft skills to navigate the room. I’m lucky. My years in debating and my international career in London and Malaysia gave me a 'secret' curriculum. I launched this community to give that curriculum back to the people who need it most, but were never taught it. I’m not here to teach 'networking.' I’m here to help people find their voice so their talent actually gets noticed. That’s the mission.

A little about me:• Passionate about AI, business, and mindset• Always exploring how to leverage AI tools to build smarter systems and grow businesses• Focused on learning, sharing insights, and connecting with like-minded people Looking forward to engaging, contributing, and learning from all of you.

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of joining The Today Show in London for an interview to talk about my journey — the lessons, the failures, and the faith that kept me going. Here’s a short clip where I shared my advice to young people: Don’t wait for perfect circumstances — start with what you have, where you are. Life rarely moves in straight lines. It’s the detours that teach us who we really are. Grateful for the opportunity to share a bit of my story and, hopefully, encourage a few others to keep going — even when the path gets hard.

Super excited to be part of this community! I’m here to learn, grow, and connect with awesome people. A bit about me:I’m [your role/interest], currently focused on [your goal/project]. I joined because I want to [specific goal]. If anyone else is working on something similar, I’d love to connect! Looking forward to learning from you all 🚀