The Magical Handshake ~ Have you ever Used it? By Faith Faith BBE, CTM, NE
Everyone knows the value of an excellent first impression. In only seconds of a meeting, people attain various information about us. They notice our face, hair, clothing, bodily proportions, posture, demeanor as well as the sound in our voice. It’s an important time since there is no second chance to create a good first impression.
Then it happens … the handshake.
I once took a communications class at a nearby church. The trainer had 30+ attendees lineup single file. The instructions would look him within the eye and shake his hand. I had been confident I knew how to properly shake hands.
Following your last person shook the instructor’s hand, he asked, “Tell me what you considered my handshake. Could it have been a great handshake or perhaps a bad handshake?” I liked his handshake. It was a strong grip like mine. His handshake confirmed to me I knew the best way to shake hands. I said, like everyone else, “good handshake.”
He then said a thing that completely required unexpectedly.
He said the reason why everybody liked his handshake was simple. He mirrored ours. If the handshake was firm, his was firm. When it was a light touch, his was a light touch. If they used their contrary to understand his, his contrary grasped theirs. Hand Shake explained this handshake technique creates an instant good impression and likeability.
Likeability?
Yes. It’s just like how we feel once we meet an unfamiliar person and learn we share the identical name. Or while in conversation with a stranger, we learn we share a mutual friend. We magically like this person. For this reason I think of it as the Magical Handshake.
From here on, It is best to never, ever, shake another person’s hand. Instead, allow them to shake yours. Mirror what they do. If you’re offered a firm grip, mirror a firm grip. If you’re offered a gentle grip, mirror a gentle grip. Make sure to mirror the shake too. It’s by pointing out grip and shake.
The only real exception is when someone offers you a handshake using their palm facing down. As you shake hands, they have the upper-hand and therefore are in charge. They dominate. This is known as a hostile handshake.
When offered an aggressive handshake, respond by giving them a Double-Handed handshake with a wee turn. Start with your palms slightly upwards, grasping their hand with both of yours. Then, straighten their handshake vertically with a wee turn as you’re shaking. This communicates for them, “we are equal.”
The very next time you need to produce a good first impression, provide the Magical Handshake a try. Get it done if you meet and greet people. It’s a simple, surefire way to improve your likeability factor.
Faith Faith BBE, CTM, NE. Branding Expert, Speaker and Author of Blockbuster Branding for “The Little Guy” – How to Rock Everything you Got: business, service, product or book. For more branding ideas visit: www.FaithFaith.net
More info about magical handshake browse our new site.