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Carrie and I had vastly different upbringings. She’s from a family of five. I’m an only child. Her parents planned. My parents partied. Her dad was a judge; mine worked in sports and recreation. But our fathers, as different as they are, both taught us the same essential life lesson: how to give a good handshake.

We’ve interviewed scores of people for potential collaborations. And in an alarming amount of cases, we knew the meeting was over before it had even begun. A poor hand is a show-stopper for us. The Limp Wrist, Floppy Fish, or Grip of Death raise questions about self-esteem, direction, and motivation. In the Western world, handshakes are a language that speaks volumes.

THIS WEEK: Shake hands!

Skippy McCarthy & Dennis LaPorte’s rules for giving a good handshake:

1. Look ‘em right in the eye. Flash a smile or smile with your eyes, but by all means, smile.
2. Be the first to extend your hand. It’s not a race to the shake, but take charge, and don’t delay in making a connection. Lean forward.
3. Full grip, palm to palm.
4. And now… shake. Give it some rhythm, some confirmation that you are indeed engaged.
5. Hold on just that extra second for assurance and vitality. And… release.

Even if you’re jelly inside, a strong handshake will help you steady yourself. If you’re tough as nails, a warm handshake can soften the edges. Practice. Notice. And set an example for the young ones – shake kids’ hands, giving them the respect they so deserve. Extend yourself.