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  Kathleen Gran is having a great time working as an Image Coach and helping people achieve a strong, personal brand. Her mission is to get people to understand the power of their visual impact so that they can thrive and succeed.

  

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  Articles Assessments Makeovers

One of my favourite topics when I teach Business Etiquette is handshakes and how they help you better communicate with the person in front of you. Participants are usually skeptical at first, but rapidly embrace this fun way of discovering the type of person they are dealing with. The handshake is a well accepted international gesture and an automatic ritual of greeting and departure, but if you pay a little attention, you will learn to “read” its subtle messages. The Protocol School of Washington, the leader in etiquette and protocol services, includes a course on handshakes in their renown training program and have published a book about the art of handshaking (see right side bar in Kathleen Recommends).

Did you know that there are 12 basic handshakes that you may experience during your interactions with people? Each of these will tell you a short story about how that person is feeling at that moment and will help you adjust your approach. A handshake may even be different at the beginning and at the end of a meeting, reflecting the outcome of that meeting. This being said, cultural diversities have to be taken into account when trying to assess a handshake, so you should always be careful before drawing conclusions. Let’s explore the five most common ones.

1. The Power Handshake
   This is the handshake of confident, relaxed, and genuine people. It includes a firm grip, parallel hands and one or two strokes. It is accompanied by a smile and eye contact and followed by the appropriate introductions. It will leave a great first impression.
2. The Water Pump
   Exaggerated in the number of strokes and extent of movement, this handshake often belongs to people wanting to show enthusiasm (in interviews, for example) or their excitement to be part of a group or an event. Pumping your way into the other person’s life is not going to be a lasting good feeling. Remember: everything in moderation!
3. The Magnet
   The person is trying to attract you into his space by pulling your hand towards him or guiding you in a direction. This person is probably trying to dominate you or wants to place you somewhere. A perfect example of this is the following video where Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands. The tug of war is obvious, each wanting to place the other into his space! Priceless!

 

 

4. The Bone Crusher
   Your fingers will literally crack under this person’s powerful handshake, leaving you with a negative, and most likely painful, first impression! This handshake usually belongs to insecure people who confuse physical strength with personal power. There is nothing inviting nor positive about this handshake and chances are, you will come across as an overpowering person who is desperate for authority rather than a confident individual.
5. The Dead Fish
   Who likes to hold a limp hand? It screams indifference and passivity. Not only does it indicate low self-esteem, it is dismissive and draining for the person receiving it. This handshake shows apathy and will definitely generate a flight response from the person on the receiving end.

First impressions are crucial in every encounter and the handshake is the first and only physical contact you will have with your client. Make it memorable!

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