I was interviewed by INC.com on the science of the perfect handshake. Below are my insights that I shared with INC.com. For more information you can read the handshake chapter in my book SNAP! Making the Most of First Impressions Body Language and Charisma or go to the book's website www.snapfirstimpressions.com The link to the actual article is at the end of the post.
Get a Grip - If you want to make a good
impression, you need to know how to give a good handshake. Patti Wood, a body
language coach who has worked with Fortune 500 companies
such as Deloitte and Hewlett-Packard, shares her secrets behind the perfect
handshake
Go for the greeting early - Wood suggests that you always
extend your hand first, in order to rid the encounter of uncertainty (which
studies show can bemore stressful for some
people than physical pain).
Use facial cues Wood says that good
handshakes should be accompanied by an "eyebrow flash"--a
raising up of the eyebrows for less than one second--and a slight smile.
"It sends a message that I acknowledge you, and I like
you," Wood says.
Scoop your hand upward - Even if you have a firm grip, it's still unpleasant to
receive a limp shake of the wrist. Wood suggests extending your arm out with
your fingers pointed downward, and then scooping your hand up into the other
person's to offset a weak grip.
Put away the cell phone - One of the biggest mistakes Wood sees her clients make is looking
at their cell phones while or before shaking hands, as it makes you look
distracted and uninterested.
Face forward - Particularly if you are meeting with a potential client or
important new partner, Wood says to face forward while giving a handshake,
rather than to the side, to reinforce the idea that you are open and engaged in
the interaction.
Prevent a bone-crushing handshake - Caught in too firm a grip? Placing your hand over the other
person's hand will restrict movement and give you more physical control over
the encounter. Wood calls this the "double" or "glove"
handshake.
Close with a verbal accompaniment
Wood says it's important to add a
"nice to meet you," or continue to converse with the other person.
That's because people are more likely to recall the last portion of
the interaction, in a phenomenon known as the recency effect.
Link to the INC.com article:
Patti Wood, MA, Certified Speaking Professional - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com. Also check out Patti's YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/user/bodylanguageexpert.
