Slideshow on how to develop a solid, socially acceptable handshake for all situations. Taken from 3-day course on effective collaboration.

1. Hand-Shaking 101
(Excerpted from
3-day Collaboration Course)
Permission is granted by Solid Thinking Corporation
to share and email this presentation in its entirety
provided the slides are unaltered and the website
and copyright notices are left on the slides
Copyright Solid Thinking.
All Rights Reserved.
www.SolidThinking.org

2. Copyright Solid Thinking.
All Rights Reserved.
First Meeting Sets Tone www.SolidThinking.org
• Busy people are
straightforward. Say
what you mean and
mean what you say *.
• If you need something,
be gracious but ask for it
• Have a handshake that is
firm, predictable & brief
People of character appreciate candor. When you say what you mean, people who
matter won’t mind. And people who do mind do not matter. (unknown)

3. Two Myths About Handshakes
1. Handshakes don’t really matter these days like they
used to. They do in the business environment of any
nation, and esp in the US. Be aware that some
introverted/germ-phobic people dread handshakes.
2. My handshake is [strong, quick, etc - fill in the blank]
but it is just my style. And I like it that way. It reflects my
unique personality and sets me apart from others.
Sorry but if your handshake is odd in any way, YOU will
be seen as being odd and odd people don’t get much
cooperation. Let your work or your conversational skill
or something else set you apart, not an odd
handshake.
Copyright Solid Thinking.
All Rights Reserved.
www.SolidThinking.org

4. People Draw Conclusions From
Just a Handshake
• Too strong a grip = trying to prove strength
• Too weak = weak person
• Lasts too long = person will be “clingy”
• Too brief = person isn’t interested in a
relationship with me (wants out of here)
• Rotates hand over mine = is going to be difficult
to deal with (overly dominant and aggressive)
• Predictable handshake = predictable person: firm
means reliable; eye contact means honest and
sincere; smile means friendly person Copyright Solid Thinking.
All Rights Reserved.
www.SolidThinking.org

5. Good Handshake Has 8 Key Parts
1. Distance from other person
(cultural)
1. Too close is awkward and
that carries into handshake
2. Too distant causes stepping
into greeting (appropriate in
circle, not 1 on 1)
3. Stand if seated (and able)
2. Eye contact just before
hands meet, so smile
FIRST (avoid the linked
pump-smile)
3. Meet web-to-web Straight fingers =
the FISH!
4. Wrap fingers around hand
Copyright Solid Thinking.
All Rights Reserved.
www.SolidThinking.org

6. Key Attributes
5. Gentle squeeze, slightly easier
when meeting a woman but NOT Numbers 5-8
when you ARE one
6. 2-4 small pumps while saying
appropriate greeting
– Nice to meet you
– Thanks for taking the time to meet
– Good morning/afternoon/evening
(when you can think of nothing
better)
– John speaks very highly of you (only
if it is true)
7. Release and (in Western business
culture) step back since
handshake distance is closer
than conversational distance
8. If awkward silence ensues, say “I
have a card here somewhere . .”
Copyright Solid Thinking.
All Rights Reserved.
www.SolidThinking.org

7. Your Instructor Covertly Sampled
Handshakes at Course Start
• How many “Fish” (the
most dangerous type
to have)?
• How many “Atlas’s”?
• How many “Twisters”?
• How many
“Pumpaholics”?
• How many “Nervous
Nellies”?
Copyright Solid Thinking.
All Rights Reserved.
www.SolidThinking.org

8. Instructor Will Demonstrate Each
Type of Handshake
You cannot correct your style until you
can recognize it in others!
• Offer a neutral handshake and he will
demo a style
• Then you replicate that style (he is neutral)
• Once each style has wound around room,
next style will be demonstrated
• Lastly, proper, neutral style will be sought
from each person Copyright Solid Thinking.
All Rights Reserved.
www.SolidThinking.org