How to Disarm a Power Player
The Palm-Down Thrust is reminiscent of the Nazi salute and is the most aggressive of all handshakes because it gives the receiver little chance of establishing an equal relationship. This handshake is typical of the overbearing, dominant person who always initiates it, and their stiff arm with palm facing downwards forces the receiver into the submissive position.
The Power Is in Your Hands
The Palm-Down Thrust
If you feel someone is giving a Palm-Down Thrust to you on purpose, here are several counters to it:
1.The Step-to-the-RightTechnique If you receive a dominant handshake from a power player — and it's mostly men who do it - it is not only difficult to turn his palm back up into an equal position, but it's obvious when you do it. This technique involves first stepping forward with your left foot as you reach to shake hands. This takes a little practice, as stepping forward on the right foot is the natural position for 90% of people when shaking with the right hand.
The power player attempts to control Step forward on your left foot
The Definitive Book of Body Language
Next, step forward with your right leg, moving across in front of the person and into his personal space. Finally, bring your left leg across to your right leg to complete the manoeuvre (see below), and shake the person's hand. This tactic allows you to straighten the handshake or even turn it over into the submissive position. It feels as if you're walking across in front of him and is the equivalent of winning an arm-wrestling bout. It also allows you to take control by invading his personal space.
Walk across in front with your right leg and turn his palm up
Analyse your own approach to shaking hands and notice whether you step forward on your left or right foot when you extend your arm to shake hands. Most people are right footed and are therefore at a disadvantage when they receive a dominant handshake because they have little room to move and it allows the other person to dominate. Practise stepping into a handshake with your left foot and you will find that it is easier to deal with the power players who would try to control you.
The Power Is in Your Hands
2.The Hand-on-Top Technique When a power player presents you with a Palm-Down Thrust, respond with your hand in the Palm-Up position then put your left hand over his right to form a Double-Hander and straighten the handshake.
This switches the power from him to you and is a much simpler way of dealing with the situation, and is much easier for women to use. If you feel the power player is purposefully trying to intimidate, and he does it regularly, grasp his hand on top and then shake it (as below). This can shock a power player so you need to be selective when using it and do it only as a last resort.
The last resort
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