Clip Art #TBT - Hello GOODBYE, Handshake
Clip Art, A Memoir
Agreement. Done deal. Sale closed.
These are the words that come to mind with the iconic business image of a handshake.
This stock photo-esque staple of the Clip Art library has long since been outdated. Yet it continues to crop up as the glorified end all be all of a successful deal made or an agreement reached. It—s only natural to feel that if there—s one in a sales deck, you will be able to close the deal.
In many ways, the handshake signifies success. But does using it somehow guarantee this success?
The problem lies in the fact that you shouldn't have to put in your presentation what you should simply be executing by kicking butt in the conference room anyway.
Indeed, much of the clip art canon seemed to illustrate something that could—ve been communicated through actual actions. If you—re truly confident in what you—re talking about, the handshake becomes redundant; an unnecessary addition to communicate effectiveness.
Even as the corporate world becomes modernized with more casual Friday jeans and mural painting team bonding, shaking hands with clients both before and after meetings certainly remains a standard.
Don't tell the client/CEO/investor that you'll be shaking their hands—make like Nike and just do it.
About The Author
Molly Geoghegan is a writer, organizer, and film school dropout. She hikes frequently with her dog, Guinness, and signs up for too many email newsletters. Having lived in Chicago, Paris, Dublin and Galway, Molly has made her way back to the Rockies and calls Denver, CO home.
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