It seems such a simple act doesn’t it?  But even the Leader of the Opposition is having to take lessons on how to do it better. Feedback his is like a cold fish.

Handshakes often feature on my business presentation courses. You’d be surprised how self-conscious many of us are, and how fussy we are when trying to describe a good handshake.  So if your handshake is limp, cold, clammy, vice-like, too long, too brief….

Image courtesy of Adamr @ freedigitalphotos.net

Lasting impressions

I’m naturally a judgmental person and will jump to conclusions about a person’s character based on their handshake.  I remember really admiring a motivational speaker, he was funny, charming and friendly. Then we shook hands – his shake was ridiculously vice like it hurt. Ah… thought I, a complete power control freak, wouldn’t trust him underneath all the charm!  Right or wrong the impact was powerful.

So decide how you want to come across to others – and make sure your handshake matches.

Or take the advice I was given by a successful salesman years ago – “Always give people back the handshake they give you.”