Confident Handshakes
It used to be that a man's handshake was his word. If you shook on something, then you had an agreement and that was how business was done. A handshake deal doesn't mean as much now, and you should always have your deals in writing unless you want to spend a lot of time in court deciding the validity of a handshake. However, a handshake still means a lot of things, and it can be a powerful tool to establish confidence in yourself and in others.
Going to shake someone's hand means that you respect them. A handshake is a symbol that you are reaching out to someone and that you want them to know that you are glad they are there. Think about the people who you might want to give a handshake to, and think about the relationship that you have with this person. Chances are that these are the people who are going to make an impact in your workplace.
You might shake hands with your boss, with your favorite co-worker, or with a client that comes in. This is done to establish a friendly greeting, and to establish the importance of the bond that is about to be created. If you are giving someone a handshake you are saying that you care about the presence that they will be bringing, and you respect the position that they have.
So if you are the boss, and you go up to your employees and give them a handshake, you are saying that you respect them and that they are important. Think about when you might shake the hand of another person. Typically this is done when someone does a good job, or has gone above what you have expected. The handshake is a sign of gratitude and respect, so giving someone a handshake promotes confidence in the job they have done.
Think about what would happen if a handshake wasn't given? If there was no handshake given to the client, or to your employee for a job well done, would they feel respected? There are certainly other ways in which you could do this, but if you were going for a handshake, and the other person refused, or had a weak grip, what would you think about that person and the attitude they have toward you?
A handshake can be a powerful tool of confidence building in the office. It shows you are doing a good job, and that others respect you. Handshakes are a simple gesture, yet can build confidence in those around you and really boost morale in the office.
