What’s worse? A palm-shattering, bone crunching handshake? Or, a being offered a hand which feels more like a limp fish?
Originally handshakes were used to prove that we came in peace and did not have a weapon. Nowadays, we use handshakes all the time – but particularly when meeting and greeting someone.
Handshakes are a sign of trust and help build strong relationships. As a busy professional, it is important that you make a memorable positive impression when you are out networking or meeting potential new clients.
Your handshake is just one of the ways you can build a positive first impression. It’s interesting to note that a study by the Incomm Center for Trade Show Research has found that if you shake hands with people, they are two times more likely to remember you than if you didn’t shake hands.
Psychologists have found that if you take the initiative and move forward to meet and greet a person, their impression of you will be more favourable than if you waited for them to make the initiative.
However, handshakes mean different things in different cultures. In today’s global marketplace, you could find yourself doing business with people from Africa, Japan or America. Where as in the US, a firm handshake equals self-confidence, but in Africa a limp handshake is the way to do it. In Africa, expect to be shaking hands for as much as a couple of minutes. In the US expect to get some very strange looks if your handshake goes on for more than a few seconds.
I’m guessing that many people don’t know the full impact of their handshake – and don’t even give their handshake a moment’s thought. My suggestion is you need to be aware of the first impression that your handshake portrays. That’s right, I’m suggesting that you practice your handshake on friends and family and ask how it comes across. Sounds embarrassing? Better that you know about a problem, before it impacts on your career or potential to win new business.
What’s stopping you from finding out?
Related posts:
- Working the room tip 3: Willing offer a confident handshake This is the third blog post in a series taken from my book ‘ Networking tips for busy female professionals’....
- How to make the RIGHT first impression when working the room First impressions are everything. Get it right, and everything becomes easy. Get it wrong and you are pushing water uphill...
- What does credibility really mean for a professional adviser? What does credibility actually mean for a professional adviser, and why is it so important?...
- How to help your business get FITTER through networking There are many classic mistakes that people make when networking. For example, the biggest mistake people make when networking is...
- The 7 deadly sins of client service Good client service does not happen by accident. Read on for the seven deadly sins of client service...
One Comment
A good NLP trick I was taught re handshakes is: 1) make sure your hand in neutral position,palm down denotes a person who likes to be in control and palm up like to be controlled in body language terms.
2)be firm but not crushing.
3) you can control how someone will perceive you by gently rotating the other persons hand to neutral position.
This sends a subliminal message that you are both equal during the meeting and neither is in control.