UPFRONT | Columnist BUSINESS TALK Lets shake on it I The mechanics of your handshake BY ANTHONY J. LOMBARDI n a time where technology dominates our lives, the one interpersonal action that still lives on in business is the hand-shake. Shaking hands is an age-old ac-tion to greet someone, demonstrates respect, and can signify the closing of an agreement. Let’s review the mechanics of the handshake: 1. Eye contact Using eye contact tells them that they are relevant, they have your attention and they matter. This, believe it or not, requires prac-tice because you need to time your eye contact with the meeting of your right hand. 2. Right-hand interlock Always shake hands with your right hand regardless of your hand dominance. The absolute key is making sure the web of your hand between your thumb and index finger meet their web -first. Beating them to the web is very impor-tant because if you are unable to do this you run the risk of having them close their hand early and grasp your finger tips. This ruins the handshake and projects an extremely weak handshake on your part. 3. Firm grip, pronation/supination eye contact demonstrates love and security to the other person. I use this often with patients to re-assure them that they are in the right place. You could also use your left hand to cradle their elbow or grasp their shoulder. This again asserts dominance over your counter-part. You often see this when politicians or world leaders shake hands. The grip is something that is important. You do not want to crush the person’s hand but you need be firm. As you meet their web, firmly clinch their hand for one second as you are looking them in the eye. The next part depends on what your goal is with respect to the other person. If your goal is to assert your dominance or portray rank over the person, then you will pronate your hand (their hand would supinate). You will have the “upper hand.” Subconsciously it asserts your-self to them. Conversely, if you would like the other person to feel that they have the upper hand, then you would supi-nate your hand during the handshake. 5. The shake In total from grasp, shake, and release, the entire handshake interaction should last 2-3 seconds. During this time its impor-tant to repeat the persons name as you are making eye contact (ie: “It’s a pleasure meeting you Mr. Jones”). 6. Alternatives 4. Your left hand It is so important to use your left hand. This combined with ANTHONY LOMBARDI, DC, is a private consultant to athletes in the NFL, CFL and NHL, and founder of the Hamilton Back Clinic, a multidisciplinary clinic. He teaches his fundamental EXSTORE Assessment System and practice building workshops to various health professionals. For more information, visit www. exstore.ca. 8 Canadian Chiropractor October 2019 www.canadianchiropractor.ca Photo: .istock In some cultures handshakes are not the norm. Also, there is a growing trend of germa-phobes who refuse to shake hands. One example is comedian Howie Mandel who pre-fers the “fist-pump.” In this case if you extend your hand and someone displays a closed fist -you should change on the fly and meet their fist with a firm “bump.” Also some people are trending towards the Navy “forearm clasp” where they embrace one anothers forearms to avoid germ trans-mission from hand to hand. Whichever you choose, remember that the handshake is an age-old art that takes practice and says alot about you to other people.
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