We all know the importance of an excellent first impression. In barely seconds of your meeting, people attain a plethora of details about us. They notice our face, hair, clothing, body size, posture, demeanor and also the sound of our voice. It’s a crucial time as there is no second chance to produce a good first impression.

Then it happens … the handshake.

One time i took a communications class at a nearby church. The trainer had 30+ attendees fall into line single file. The instructions would look him within the eye and shake his hand. I had been confident I knew the best way to properly shake hands.

After the last person shook the instructor’s hand, he asked, “Tell me everything you considered my handshake. Could it have been an excellent handshake or even a bad handshake?” I liked his handshake. It had been a firm grip like mine. His handshake confirmed if you ask me I knew how to shake hands. I said, exactly, “good handshake.”

The real key said a thing that completely required aback.

He explained the reason why everybody liked his handshake was simple. He mirrored ours. If the handshake was firm, his was firm. Whether it was a light touch, his was obviously a light touch. If they used their other hand to know his, his contrary grasped theirs. He explained this handshake technique creates an instant good impression and likeability.

Likeability?

Yes. It’s similar to the way you feel when we meet a complete stranger and learn we share the identical name. Or when in conversation using a stranger, we learn we share a mutual friend. We magically that way person. This is the reason I think of it as the Magical Handshake.

From here on, It is best to never, ever, shake another person’s hand. Instead, let them shake yours. Mirror what they do. If you’re offered a firm grip, mirror a firm grip. If you’re offered a soft grip, mirror a gentle grip. Remember to mirror the shake too. It’s by pointing out grip and shake.

The only real exception occurs when someone provides you with a handshake with their palm facing down. While you shake hands, they have the upper-hand and so are in charge. They dominate. This is known as an aggressive handshake.

When offered a hostile handshake, respond by providing them a Double-Handed handshake with a wee turn. Start insurance firms your palms slightly upwards, grasping their hand with you have. Then, straighten their handshake vertically using a wee turn as you’re shaking. This communicates for them, “we are equal.”

The next time you want to produce a good first impression, provide the Magical Handshake a try. Do it if you park and fly people. It’s an easy, surefire approach to enhance your likeability factor.

Faith Faith BBE, CTM, NE. Branding Expert, Speaker and Author of Blockbuster Branding for “The Little Guy” – The best way to Rock What You Got: business, service, product or book. For more branding ideas visit: www.FaithFaith.net

Check out about Shaking Hands resource: visit here.