Everybody knows the value of a good first impression. In only seconds of a meeting, people attain a plethora of information regarding us. They notice our face, hair, clothing, bodily proportions, posture, demeanor as well as the sound of our own voice. It’s an important time as there is no second chance to produce a good first impression.
Then it happens … the handshake.
I once took a communications class at a nearby church. The trainer had 30+ attendees fall into line single file. The instructions could look him inside the eye and shake his hand. I was confident I knew how you can properly shake hands.
After the last person shook the instructor’s hand, he asked, “Tell me that which you considered my handshake. Was it a good handshake or a bad handshake?” I liked his handshake. It had been a company 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 required unexpectedly.
He said the reason everybody liked his handshake was simple. He mirrored ours. If the handshake was firm, his was firm. When it would be a light touch, his was a light touch. When they used their contrary to grasp his, his contrary grasped theirs. He was quoted saying this handshake technique creates an immediate good impression and likeability.
Likeability?
Yes. It’s just like the way we feel when we meet an unfamiliar person and discover we share exactly the same name. Or much more conversation using 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, I suggest you never, ever, shake another person’s hand. Instead, allow them to shake yours. Mirror the things they’re doing. If you’re offered a company grip, mirror a company grip. If you’re offered a gentle grip, mirror a soft grip. Remember to mirror the shake too. Shaking Hands ’s by pointing out grip and shake.
The only real exception happens when someone offers you a handshake making use of their palm facing down. While you shake hands, they’ve the upper-hand and therefore are responsible. They dominate. This is known as a hostile handshake.
When offered an aggressive handshake, respond giving them a Double-Handed handshake with a wee turn. Start insurance firms your palms slightly upwards, grasping their hand with you have. Then, straighten their handshake vertically with a wee turn as you’re shaking. This communicates in their mind, “we are equal.”
The very next time you want to create a good first impression, provide the Magical Handshake an attempt. Take action whenever you meet and greet people. It’s an easy, surefire way 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 What You Got: business, service, product or book. For more branding ideas visit: www.FaithFaith.net
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