Shake It Like you Mean It

I was recently in a position to do a lot of handshaking.  Remember I am a stay-at-home mom so aside from church I very rarely shake hands in a more formal way.  Chief’s promotion was an exception so I stood shaking a lot of hands.

Fortunately I didn’t have to shake any “fish” but I shook more than enough “lady fingers” and it wasn’t just women either.  Come on people…you are not royalty…don’t just place your fingers in my hand.  I am not going to bow.  Furthermore, don’t grab my fingers it hinders my ability to handshake properly.  To me, nothing is more memorable (in a negative way) when meeting someone new is a crappy handshake.  It makes me think you lack confidence. 

I’ve looked online and there are as many as 21 steps to a good handshake.  Really?!  21?  Why are they making it so complicated?  Here are my 4 simple steps:

1.  Keep your fingers together and your thumb up.

2.  Reach forward and put your palm on mine so the web between your thumb and forefinger is touching mine.

3.  Squeeze.  Not too hard, of course, but I’d rather have a bone crusher than no squeeze at all.

4.  Pump from the elbow, but not more than twice.

Or it could even be simplified even more:  SHAKE LIKE YOU MEAN IT!

Certainly there is more to a handshake, than just the handshake.  Posture, eye contact, and speaking are all very important too.  One thing at a time….