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Business etiquette for the high achieving women: What your handshake says about you

Handshaking – The Ultimate Greeting.
An  effective  handshake  involved  projecting  the  right  facial  expression,  giving   the  appropriate  hand  shake  and  a  sincere  greeting.

A good, well-timed handshake with your smile is a sure way to stand out, whether you’re at the company picnic or an industry conference.
Here’s how important it is: A prospective employee/business owner with the best handshake is more likely to get the job/contract, research shows.

Even if you’re not a job-seeker, or entrepreneur a good handshake will grant you instant rapport when meeting someone new. With that in mind, here’s a refresher course on the business protocol of the perfect handshake:

An  effective  handshake  involved  projecting  the  right  facial  expression,  giving   the  appropriate  hand  shake  and  a  sincere  greeting.

A handshake is a part of many social interactions. It’s a way to introduce one’s self, offer congratulations and even a way to conclude a business deal. A handshake is a gesture of goodwill.

The Three Step Process to Handshake:

  • Step 1: Facial Expression
  • Step 2: Shake hands
  • Step 3. Greet the person

Be Friendly
You should always be ready to initiate a handshake, demonstrating your eagerness to meet the person. Although etiquette rules once dictated that a man should wait for a woman to offer her hand, that’s no longer the case.

  • Focus on the person you’re shaking hands with.
  • Look directly into the person’s eyes during the handshake.The right hand should always be free.
  • Keep your grip firm and assertive but not too tight. General rule of thumb: Grasp as tightly as the other person does.The left hand should hold only one item.
  • Two-handed handshakes are a sign of real affection, avoid them when meeting new people.
  • Extend your hand with the thumb up and fingers out.
  • Don’t extend your hand with the thumb down and fingers curled.
  • Connect web to web.
  • Shake from the elbow, not the wrist or shoulder
  • Two smooth pumps.
  • Shoulder to shoulder stance.

Handshaking faux paus:

  • No  eye  contact–no  smiles
  • A  limp  handshake
  • An  overpowering  handshake
  • A  handshake  without  a  greeting

Tips to remember:
Be ready to shake hands, regardless of your gender or the other person’s. He or she will remember that you extended your hand first.

Show Respect
Make sure you’re standing when you shake hello or goodbye. It shows respect for yourself and the other person.

Be Direct
Look the other person in the eye. Don’t allow the handshake to linger too long, but you can show an extra bit of sincerity by holding their hand a second longer after the last pump.

Always shake hands:

  • When introduced to a person and when you say good-bye.
  • When someone comes into your home or office to visit you.
  • When you meet someone outside your business or office.
  • When you enter a room, are greeted by those you know, and are introduced to those you don’t know.
  • When you leave a gathering attended by friends and business associates.
  • When you are congratulating someone who has won an award or given a speech.
  • With those nearest you, your host, and with whomever you meet as you move around the room.
  • W hen you are consoling someone.When entering a room those closet to the entrance.

Grace and Charm Insight: The person who extends their hand first has gains control.

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