Knowing how to make a great first impression is essential to developing relationships and climbing the professional ladder. One of the best ways to project confidence and professionalism in the first moments of meeting someone is with your handshake. What does your handshake say about you and how can you improve it? Read the following tips to help you make the most of this little gesture:
Make a Visual Connection: Always look your partner in the eye as you shake their hand. It helps you to appear friendly, confident, and professional. Eye contact also helps the other person feel more connected to you, paving the way for a better professional relationship.
Motion Matters: Don’t simply hold the other person’s hand; lightly pump their hand up and down two to three times, leading from the elbow. Moderation is key: remaining motionless is awkward, but aggressively pulling your partner’s hand up and down is equally uncomfortable.
Get the Timing Right: It’s important that a handshake last for the right amount of time. A typical handshake should last approximately three to four seconds. This allows enough time to make a connection, but doesn’t last long enough to feel awkward.
Speak Up: Never shake hands silently. As you reach for the person’s hand, introduce yourself verbally (e.g. “Hi, I’m Jayne.”). Or, if someone else has made the introduction for you, offer a word of greeting (e.g. “Nice to meet you,” or “It’s a pleasure meeting you.”).
If you’re ready to take your communication skills to the next level, give us a call and see how Corporate Speech Solutions can improve your professional life! Call us at 212-308-7725 or send us an e-mail at jayne@corporatespeechsolutions.com to learn more. I’d be more than happy to answer any questions you might have!
If your communication skills are holding you back from professional success and you want to make your communication skills your most powerful professional tool, make sure to pick up a free copy of my e-book “Communicate with Clarity and Confidence!” by subscribing to our newsletter community on our website. In this free resource, I break down the myriad factors that contribute to confident communication and guide you through how to use each aspect to your advantage.
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