The simple, yet not so simple handshake, is such a powerful social skill. I have seen people lose major business opportunities and potentially valuable relationships because they delivered or reciprocated the wrong handshake. Even the picture on the left breaks two nonverbal, social rules.
Most of us didn’t learn about proper handshakes in school or from our parents. So it seems we are left to navigate that unspoken jewel of personal conduct all by ourselves.
Let’s begin by thinking about why the handshake is so vitally important in the first place. It is the only physical contact we are likely to have with another person. In three seconds it conveys so very much about us…are we confident, competent, or awkward?
Here are a few guidelines to remember to deliver the perfect handshake:
- Never shake hands sitting down, always stand, if possible. The person that is standing yields the most authority and credibility in a nonverbal exchange, so stand if possible.
- Never let a barrier come between you and the person who’s hand you are shaking. Always come around the desk, table, half wall, cubical, etc. Do your best to stand with your belly button and toes facing the other person and shake it like you mean it.
- The higher ranking person should extend their hand first … if they don’t, get your hand out there and shake their hand.
