In almost every professional setting, a handshake is the very beginning of every relationship. Before you say your name and before you forget the names of the people you meet, you shake their hand. So, why is it that so many women have the dreaded “wet noodle” handshake? Rather than a firm handshake, far too many women introduce themselves with the wet noodle handshake. You know the handshake, it is the sad, pitiful, soft handed, broken wrist, handshake. Sadly, this is the fastest way to be labeled as weak, incompetent, or even worse, disinterested. Let’s think about that for a second, before you have an opportunity to say your name, you are already labeled as weak. Before you have a chance to voice your brilliant ideas, you are labeled as incompetent. And, before you have a chance to express your interest during an interview for the job of your dreams, you are labeled as disinterested.

The good thing is, this is an easy fix. All you need to do is make it a point to have a firm handshake.

A firm handshake means you firmly grasp the other person’s hand, you make meaningful eye contact, and you say your name with some assertiveness. Now, I am not saying to  crush the hands of everyone you meet; I am simply saying to embody the person you are: confident, assertive, and competent.