Everybody knows the value of a good first impression. In mere seconds of your meeting, people attain an array of information about us. They notice our face, hair, clothing, body size, posture, demeanor as well as the sound of our voice. It’s an important time as there is no second opportunity to produce a good first impression.
This happens … the handshake.
One time i took a communications class at a nearby church. The teacher had 30+ attendees fall into line single file. The instructions could look him within the eye and shake his hand. I used to be confident I knew how to properly shake hands.
Following the last person shook the instructor’s hand, he asked, “Tell me everything you considered my handshake. Could it have been a good handshake or perhaps a bad handshake?” I liked his handshake. It was a strong grip like mine. His handshake confirmed if you ask me I knew the best way to shake hands. I said, like everyone else, “good handshake.”
The real key said a thing that completely took me aback.
He said the main reason everybody liked his handshake was simple. He mirrored ours. If the handshake was firm, his was firm. Whether it was obviously a light touch, his was a light touch. When they used their opposite to understand his, his other hand grasped theirs. He was quoted saying this handshake technique creates an instantaneous good impression and likeability.
Likeability?
Yes. It’s much like the way we feel when we meet a stranger and discover we share the identical name. Or much more conversation using a stranger, we learn we share a mutual friend. We magically like that person. This is the reason I refer to it as the Magical Handshake.
From this point on, It is advisable to never, ever, shake another person’s hand. Instead, permit them to shake yours. Mirror what they do. If you’re offered a firm grip, mirror a strong grip. If you’re offered a soft grip, mirror a gentle grip. Make sure to mirror the shake too. It’s everything about the grip and shake.
The sole exception happens when someone offers you a handshake using their palm facing down. While you shake hands, they have the upper-hand and so are in charge. They dominate. This is known as an aggressive handshake.
When offered an aggressive handshake, respond by providing them a Double-Handed handshake using a wee turn. Start with your palms slightly upwards, grasping their hand with both you have. Then, straighten their handshake vertically with a wee turn as you’re shaking. This communicates for them, “we are equal.”
The next time you would like to make a good first impression, give the Magical Handshake a try. Take action once you park and fly 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” – How you can Rock Everything you Got: business, service, product or book. For more branding ideas visit: www.FaithFaith.net
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