What’s in a handshake?

What’s in a hand shake? More than you might know. In many cases, this may be the first non-verbal communication you have with a client, so make sure it counts.

• If your hand is above the horizontal, you take a dominant approach. It’s best to have both hands vertical to stay on ‘equal’ ground.
• Do not be any firmer than the other’s grip. This would be construed as an over-bearing personality.

Have you ever met:

• The shaker: the person that keeps shaking and shaking. They must be really happy to meet you.
• The holder: someone who holds on a split second after you start to let go. That look in their eye tries to tell you that they won.
• The crusher: trying to prove they’re stronger, but only proving they feel they’re better than you.
• The weak: what’s up with that?
• The taker: they take your hand with both of theirs, the mothering factor?

Share with us an experience of any of the above approaches so we all can learn from one another or laugh together if you have a funny story to share.