Ladies, learn to shake hands…

Maybe it’s just me and I’m a little weird, but I firmly believe in shaking hands. Firmly.

The first time you meet someone, especially a client, greet them with a smile, say “I’m so glad to meet you” and extend your hand.

I can’t tell you how many times I have shaken the hand of a woman and it felt like a limp fish. When I shake hands with men, it always works out, but women… not so much.

If shaking hands is not something you normally do, please make an attempt to do it. You might even want to practice with someone. It’s probably going to feel wierd, but practice with someone until you can confidently and firmly shake their hand.

You don’t have to grip their hand so hard that they lose blood flow to the fingers and you don’t have to emulate a “manly” handshake, just make sure that when you grip their hand – they know it’s another hand there and not a wad of wet tissue.

Why do I think you should do this?

• You are a business person. It’s traditional business behavior.
• You want to gain your clients’ trust and confidence and make them feel more comfortable around you. Shaking hands allows you to move into someone else’s personal space without being invasive.
• Because it’s a friendly maneuver. You want your clients to think you’re friendly. You want them to like you and feel comfortable with you.
• Because I said so. Don’t argue with me.