Did
you know that your handshake speaks for you? It’s true. Your handshake is part
of the non-verbal communication that people use to form an opinion about you.
Your handshake is one part of the equation. You are also being judged on your
appearance, your posture, and even your facial expressions. All of these help a
person form an opinion about you and you want to make sure that opinion is a
positive one. The handshake is the easiest of these traits to master.
Unless you are in a foreign country, the
accepted greeting when meeting someone is the handshake. The handshake can be
broken down into three parts -- the initiation, the grasp and the motion. The
initiation is about timing. Extending your hand too soon makes you look
anxious; extending it too late makes you look indifferent. The grasp is about
strength. Simply fit your hand into theirs and squeeze firmly. Don’t break the
other
person’s hand with a crazy death
grip. You want to leave a positive impression not a painful memory. The motion
of the handshake is about control. A couple of smooth ups and downs are all
that is needed. You are not trying to pump water from a well. Follow these
three easy steps and your handshake will leave a positive impression each time.
Remember not to squeeze the other person’s hand too hard. You are aiming for
firm because a firm handshake translates positively. It tells the person that
you are confident, focused and interested. On the other hand, a weak or limp
handshake tells the person that you are insecure, intimidated and uncertain.
In the real world, it is important to act like a grown up so you always want
to use the classic handshake described above. Don’t high-five. Don’t use some
handshake you learned in your secret fraternal organization. A simple, firm
handshake will suffice every time.
In conjunction with your handshake, you want to make sure you make eye
contact. Making eye contact tells the person that they are important to you.
This is especially true when you are ending the meeting. Even if the meeting
did not go as planned, the handshake provides you an opportunity to leave the
person with a good impression and making good eye contact reaffirms that
person’s importance to you. Perfect your handshake using the tips above so you
can give off positive impressions each time you meet someone.
Jules Hirst
