Never Settle For Less

Picture this.

You’re meeting someone for the first time.  The two of you introduce yourselves and you stick your hand out to shake hands.  The person you’re meeting with grabs your hand, squeezes so hard that he stops the blood flow, and shakes so hard that he tears your rotator cuff.

Your response is?

A) Oh that’s normal

B) I’ve just been blessed by a wonderful, strong, virtuous, powerful, insightful, brave, talented, healthy, and truly remarkable leader

C) Wow I don’t know if the death squeeze and rotator cuff tear was necessary

If I had to guess I’d say your answer is….C.

If you listen to the right people (or the wrong ones depending on how you look at it) you’ll get the impression that a strong handshake sends a signal of strength, power, and courage.  I, on the other hand, think its just a handshake.

I can count on zero fingers the number of times I’ve left a meeting with a person and thought "I wasn’t really sure about him until we shook hands. THEN and ONLY THEN did I know he was the one for the job."

Seriously who is making this stuff up?

Every now and again I’ll run into someone who believes in the myth of a powerful handshake.  They believe that a handshake sends a signal of power.   The last time I ran into a hand shake hero I began asking questions.

Me: Do you shake everyone’s hand like that?

Hand Shake Hero: No

Me: Why not?

Hand Shake Hero: It’s not always appropriate.

Me: Really?  Well when is it appropriate?

Hand Shake Hero: In a business setting or in an unfamiliar environment when I need to show presence, confidence, and power.

Me: You don’t need to establish any presence, confidence, and power with me.  Would you shake your mother’s hand like that?

Hand Shake Hero: No

Me: Show me how you’d shake your mother’s hand.

*Exchange a normal handshake*

Me: Do me a favor and shake my hand like you’d shake your mothers.  I know she may not be as pretty as me but they have surgeries for that

Hand Shake Hero: ………….

Me: Thanks!

Conclusion

A handshake is just a handshake.  It doesn’t make you a titan amongst mere mortals or a king amongst kings.  It only makes you a person that believes in ridiculous myths. I’m not sure where the idea got started but its being passed along to way too many people. If you’re a good person to know then a strong handshake doesn’t make me want to know you more.

Stop hurting people with your handshake and play nice.  People will appreciate it more than a broken hand.  Trust me.
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