Everybody knows the importance of a great first impression. In barely 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 of our voice. It’s an essential time because there is no second opportunity to make a good first impression.
Then it happens … the handshake.
One time i took a communications class in a nearby church. The teacher had 30+ attendees line up single file. The instructions would look him within the eye and shake his hand. I had been 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 thought about my handshake. Could it have been a great handshake or perhaps a bad handshake?” I liked his handshake. It had been a firm grip like mine. His handshake confirmed in my experience I knew how you can shake hands. I said, exactly, “good handshake.”
He then said a thing that completely involved unexpectedly.
He was quoted saying the main reason everybody liked his handshake was simple. He mirrored ours. If the handshake was firm, his was firm. When it was a light touch, his would be a light touch. When they used their opposite to understand his, his opposite grasped theirs. He was quoted saying this handshake technique creates an instantaneous good impression and likeability.
Likeability?
Yes. It’s just like the way we feel once we meet a stranger and learn we share the identical name. Or when in conversation using a stranger, we learn we share a mutual friend. We magically that way person. This is the reason I call it the Magical Handshake.
From here on, I suggest you never, ever, shake another person’s hand. Instead, allow them to shake yours. Mirror their business. If you’re offered a firm grip, mirror a strong grip. If you’re offered a gentle grip, mirror a gentle grip. Remember to mirror the shake too. It’s everything about the grip and shake.
The only real exception happens when someone gives you a handshake using their palm facing down. As magical handshake shake hands, they have the upper-hand and therefore are in charge. They dominate. This is known as a hostile handshake.
When offered a hostile handshake, respond giving them a Double-Handed handshake with a wee turn. Start by having your palms slightly upwards, grasping their hand with of yours. 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 make a good first impression, give the Magical Handshake a go. Do it whenever 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 What You Got: business, service, product or book. For more branding ideas visit: www.FaithFaith.net
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