A handshake lasts only a few seconds. Yet it colours the whole first impression, and research backs that up.
In part one, we covered gestures of protection and withdrawal. Now let’s look at the other side of hand language: hands that reach out, open up or assert authority.
Key takeaways
- A firm handshake is linked to extraversion and a better first impression (Chaplin et al., 2000).
- In mock job interviews, handshake quality was related to hiring recommendations (Stewart et al., 2008).
- For synergology, visible palms and a hand reaching toward the other person signal openness.
- Stress shows too: hands fold in and pull back.
What does a handshake reveal?
More than you’d think. In 2000, University of Alabama researchers had four trained judges rate the handshakes of 112 students. A firm handshake went hand in hand with extraversion and openness, while a limp one was linked to shyness (Chaplin et al., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2000). Women with a firm handshake made just as positive an impression as men.
The workplace confirms it. In a study of 98 students in mock job interviews, handshake quality was related to interviewers’ hiring recommendations (Stewart et al., Journal of Applied Psychology, 2008).
And it’s not just about touch. By discreetly filming 271 people, a Weizmann Institute team found that after shaking hands with someone of the same sex, people sniffed their own right hand more than twice as often (Frumin et al., eLife, 2015). A handshake may also be a way of exchanging scent signals without realising it.
What does synergology look for in a handshake?
Firmness is only one detail. Beyond the grip, synergology lists 14 points to observe in a handshake. Here are a few you can spot at your next meeting:
- Who reaches out first, and from how far away.
- The palm’s orientation: facing up, facing down or vertical.
- The length: a hand pulled back very quickly or, on the contrary, held on to.
- The other hand: does it stay by the side, or come to cover yours?
- The eye contact that goes with the gesture.
As always, read these cues together and in context. A cold handshake in the middle of a Montreal January says nothing about someone’s character!
Which hand gestures show openness or authority?
Beyond the handshake, the position of the hands during a conversation tells you about a person’s state of mind. Here are four common positions and the reading synergology offers.
Folded hands: “I’m visibly stressed”
When stress sets in, the hands show it very clearly. They fold in and pull back, like a turtle retreating into its shell. Relaxed hands that suddenly tense up are worth noticing.
Open hands: “I’m open and engaged”
For synergology, this is one of the most positive positions, and one of the rarest. The person shows no tension and no barrier: they want to work with you and have nothing to hide.
The authority posture: “I’m the one who knows”
You often see it in politicians, doctors, judges and some financial advisors. According to synergology, a person who adopts it unconsciously sees themselves as the expert on the subject.
A hand reaching out: “Let’s work together”
A gesture of openness full of goodwill. The person draws a direct path between you, an invitation to collaborate. That's exactly what they're expressing: openness.
How do you give a good handshake?
The criteria used in the 2000 study make a good recipe: a complete grip, a firm squeeze without crushing, enough length, a bit of energy and eye contact.
- Reach out with confidence, palm vertical.
- Take the whole hand, not just the fingertips.
- Squeeze firmly, without turning it into a strength contest.
- Look the person in the eye and smile.
- Let go naturally, without pulling back too fast.
Think you’ve got a good eye? Put your knowledge to the test with our free non-verbal communication quiz.
Frequently asked questions about handshakes
What does a limp handshake mean?
In the study by Chaplin and colleagues (2000), a limp handshake was associated with shyness and higher emotional sensitivity. It’s only a statistical trend: fatigue, a sore hand or a cultural habit can explain it too.
Does a firm handshake help in a job interview?
Yes, according to a 2008 study of 98 students in mock interviews: handshake quality was related to hiring recommendations (Stewart et al., Journal of Applied Psychology). It doesn’t replace good answers, but it sets the tone in the first few seconds.
What do open palms mean?
For synergology, visible palms and relaxed hands signal an open person, with no barrier, ready to collaborate. It’s one of the most positive positions, but also one of the rarest in a professional setting.
How can you tell if someone is stressed by looking at their hands?
Watch for changes: relaxed hands that suddenly fold, tense up or hide. A single gesture isn’t enough; it’s the combination of several signals, compared with the person’s usual behaviour, that gives you a reliable lead.
Go further: reread the 4 protective gestures to decode, or explore our personal training and company training.
