Jody White, Speaking Directly

You may not realize that the way you shake hands can affect your personal effectiveness. A weak handshake can make you appear less confident and unsure of yourself, especially in a job interview. I shake a lot of hands in my job and in Toastmasters and the first thing that impresses me is how they deliver that "all important" handshake. Be the first to extend your hand to people to anyone you meet and look them in the eye and smile warmly and sincerely; this shows interest and a positive attitude. Gently but firmly grip their hand, give two shakes then release; it's that easy AND important! When I get a 'weak' handshake, honestly -- it feels like a dead fish -- and doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Practice on a friend, ask them how your handshake feels to them-- I bet they will tell you the truth! A great handshake can leave a great "first impression" and it's important to feel confident meeting new people.  

If you’re like most people, walking into a room full of strangers can be overwhelming and downright scary. The reality is that small talk is very important for networking events, interviews and social events. Preparing for a speech or presentation is critical to ensure your information or message is understood by your audience. Training yourself for impromptu speaking opportunities is no different. I’ve always admired people who have a knack for talking about anything and everything to just about anyone. It’s a joy to be around people who make small talk seem so easy and fun that it’s been a goal of mine for many years. The key is to practice and keep inventing ways to make it easy for you that it becomes “second nature.” Below are tips I’ve learned from observing other “small talkers” and have proven successful for me: Hello ! The first thing I do now is to be the first to say hello to people as I walk into a room; shaking hands and introducing myself if time permits. Ano...