The Importance A Great Handshake In Business
What does your handshake say about you? Here is why giving a proper handshake in business and personal life is critical.
You may think that a handshake is just a handshake. Your handshake tells someone a lot about you. A pragmatic person with practical business experience will then be able to read you from your one handshake.
Weak Handshakes Have Become Common
Weak handshakes are becoming more common. This may be because many people may not think having a good handshake is essential. It may be something that they are not worried about. Many people today seem to lack confidence.
It could also be common because people were never taught to give a good handshake. A strong, proper handshake shows that you are confident.
I hung out in places where most students would not go when I was attending college in New York City. I was first introduced to websites because I contributed to Fine Tobacco NYC. I enjoyed hanging out in cigar lounges. I was often hanging out with business professionals. I learned a lot about cigars, spirits (especially scotch and bourbon), and how to give a proper handshake.
The Problem With Weak Handshakes
Your handshake is how your interviewer, employer, or someone else can gauge you. A weak handshake tells the other person you are nervous and insecure. The variations on the handshake also tell people about you. Here are six common types of handshakes that are not a proper handshake.
6 Common Types Of Handshakes
The Limp Vegetable
The person simply dangles a few limp fingers as a handshake. The hand looks like a dead, limp vegetable. A limp handshake shows the other person that you are soft.
A practical business person or influential person may take note of this. Your handshake tells them they are right to do whatever you tell them.
The Hand Crusher
The hand crusher is when the person crushes your hand. The person thinks that a good handshake means utilizing all of their strength. The head crusher may make the person you are shaking hands with that you are overcompensating for something.
The Trendsetter
The other person reaches out to give you a handshake, but you give them a trending handshake instead. You are not out getting drinks with your friends. You are not hanging out at a club.
The trendsetter shows that you are immature, unprofessional, and lack self-awareness. You are not out with your friends.
The Hanger
You hold onto the other person’s hand for too long. You may have a good grip. You may even make good eye contact. This handshake makes you appear weird and desperate to the other person.
You hold on beyond the recommended two seconds for a handshake. Simple count: one, two, and let go.
The Dasher
The dasher is the opposite of the hanger. You quickly grab the other person’s hand. You then immediately let go. This gives off the impression of you being nervous. It can also come across as rude.
The Blinker
As you reach out to shake the other person’s hand, your eyes keep blinking, or you do not have eye contact. You may be looking elsewhere in the room.
The blinker makes you come across as shy or strange. You come across as awkward.
Eye contact plays a critical role in a great handshake. It is vital to maintain eye contact when shaking someone else’s hand.
None of these types of handshakes leave a great first impression. A proper handshake remains the tried, accurate, and professional way to leave a positive impression on someone you meet.
Seven Steps To Give A Proper Handshake
The good news is that you can learn to give a great handshake. Here are the seven steps to giving a proper handshake:
Make eye contact with the person you are shaking hands with.
Be sure to use your right hand.
Give the other person a nice, firm handshake.
Remember to follow the two-second rule. You do not want to make the handshake awkward.
Be sure to smile.
Give the other person your greeting.
Say the person’s name or address them correctly by their title.
You can practice these seven steps to properly handshake with a friend or family member. You can even practice a handshake with something you can hold, like a hand gripper. You could even get a mannequin hand to practice on.
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