Laying stake on the shake!

ONE of the epithets of business etiquette is good body-language. Although it's more common now to strike technology-enabled deals across continents, traditional practice still takes precedence. Business deals are incomplete without one-on-one meetings. Body language during these meetings is telling and handshakes form the most important aspect of it. Despite the explosion of alternative communication devices, a handshake is still the most important gesture in business or personal life. It signifies a conclusive state of affairs. When a business meeting is begun with a warm handshake, it has a ripple effect during the conduct of the meet - people are friendlier, respond better and are more open.

Like brand recall, handshakes also ensure faster `person-recall.' They are a universal gesture, which if done correctly can ensure business or personal success. The right and wrongs of it are:

Don'ts!

Over-enthusiastically extending your hand before the introductions are underway

Clutching on to someone's hand tightly and pumping it a little too vigorously

Pumping the hand too many times and extended contact

Using both hands to shake (rather like causing the person to quake!)

Holding on to the hand and continuing to talk

Dos!

The proper way to initiate the gesture is to perfectly coordinate facial expression and body language.

Adopt the right posture, stand at a comfortable angle and distance

Sport a pleasant expression

Lean forward slightly and extend the arm and hand at a slightly tilted angle from the chest. The thumb should point upwards

If women are present, it's usual that they initiate the greeting

The handshake should be firm, thumb joint to thumb joint with fingers encircling the other person's hand

A limp handshake is a non-starter and can give the recipient the wrong impression

The best times to use the handshake? People shake hands usually during introductions, at the start and conclusion of a meet, during deal closures, when someone new is introduced or when they bump into an old acquaintance. The handshake is a global tradition. People often have the habit of judging others by the way they shake hands. Although a global etiquette norm, its acceptance,method and practice differ from country to country.

Samyukta Koda

samyukta.hyd@cnkonline.com