The Magical Handshake ~ Have You Completed it? By Faith Faith BBE, CTM, NE
Everyone knows the importance of a great first impression. In barely seconds of your meeting, people attain various details about us. They notice our face, hair, clothing, bodily proportions, posture, demeanor and the sound in our voice. It’s a crucial time since there is no second opportunity to produce a good first impression.
It happens … the handshake.
Hand Shake took a communications class in a nearby church. The trainer had 30+ attendees lineup single file. The instructions could look him inside the eye and shake his hand. I had been confident I knew how you can properly shake hands.
Following the last person shook the instructor’s hand, he asked, “Tell me everything you considered my handshake. Was it a good handshake or perhaps a bad handshake?” I liked his handshake. It absolutely was a firm grip like mine. His handshake confirmed to me I knew how you can shake hands. I said, like everyone else, “good handshake.”
Then he said something that completely involved by surprise.
He explained the reason why everybody liked his handshake was simple. He mirrored ours. When the handshake was firm, his was firm. When it would be a light touch, his was a light touch. Should they used their contrary to understand his, his contrary grasped theirs. He stated this handshake technique creates an instant good impression and likeability.
Likeability?
Yes. It’s just like the way we feel once we meet a stranger and discover we share the same name. Or much more conversation with a stranger, we learn we share a mutual friend. We magically like this person. This is why I think of it as the Magical Handshake.
From this point on, I suggest you never, ever, shake another person’s hand. Instead, allow them to shake yours. Mirror what they do. If you’re offered a company grip, mirror a strong grip. If you’re offered a gentle grip, mirror a soft grip. Make sure to mirror the shake too. It’s all about the grip and shake.
The sole exception occurs when someone gives you a handshake with their palm facing down. While you shake hands, they’ve got the upper-hand and are in charge. They dominate. This is what’s called an aggressive handshake.
When offered a hostile handshake, respond by giving them a Double-Handed handshake using a wee turn. Start insurance firms your palms slightly upwards, grasping their hand with you have. Then, straighten their handshake vertically using a wee turn as you’re shaking. This communicates to them, “we are equal.”
The very next time you want to make a good first impression, give the Magical Handshake a try. Do it once you meet and greet people. It’s a straightforward, surefire approach to enhance your likeability factor.
Faith Faith BBE, CTM, NE. Branding Expert, Speaker and Author of Blockbuster Branding for “The Little Guy” – The best way to Rock Everything you Got: business, service, product or book. For more branding ideas visit: www.FaithFaith.net
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