Value Of A Smile
Recently, I shook hands with three persons and on three different occasions.
They asked me the same age-old question, “Patrick, how’re you?”
While responding to the question, I was studying the body language of the first person.
Quite clearly, he had no interest in me.
The second person couldn’t wait for me to finish to start the real agenda – his agenda.
The third person was only interested to sell me his product.
Whichever way I changed the subject and whatever I said, somehow he was able to bring me back to his business.
On all three occasions, I was actually quite amused and could have burst out laughing.
I thought to myself, “What if I had replied, “I’m about to commit suicide,” would they have continued the conversation according to their agenda and line of thoughts?
I was sure the third person would sell to me with a greater sense of urgency.
I have been diligently studying the art of smiling and handshake for many years.
That, to me is a good start to making a good impression on others.
Done correctly, a positive relationship will start taking traction.
Otherwise, your relationship may just roll downhill.
Let me share with you three Masters of smiling and handshakes.
They are people who have made the greatest impact on me when they smile and held my hand on the first and subsequent meetings.
In 2002, my partner and I invited President Bill Clinton to deliver a lecture in Singapore.
During his visit, it was such a great experience to interact with him and observe a Master of smiling and handshake in action.
I could tell that he put in a lot of himself into every handshake.
He would hold the hands of total strangers longer than normal to make it special for the other party.
Stare into the other person’s eyes and give them his megawatt heartfelt smile.
It seemed like nothing could distract him during that moment.
It was not surprising that many people told me subsequently and with almost the same words, “When I shook his hands, I felt like the world had disappeared.
“It seems like there were only two of us facing each other.”
Another Master of handshake is Mr Alfred Wong, the Executive Chairman of Noel Holding, a publicly-listed company on Singapore Exchange.
Before he even held my hands, he made me feel like I’m a long lost friend and he had been waiting for a long time to see me.
I could feel warmth exuding from his smile and from every part of his being.
When he held on to my hand, it was not just a handshake.
It was like we were two brothers who met and were connected for a special purpose.
When he smiled at me, the smile went straight to my heart. It was an electrifying moment.
Last but not least, another Master of handshake is Dr David Lim, my ex- Senior Pastor.
I need to let you know that Dr Lim was a prodigy in school, having gone to University at the age of 15.
He started preaching shortly thereafter and while serving in the church, he completed his doctorate degree in a prestigious institution.
He is a very intelligent man and if I may add, a leader of many talents and accomplishments.
Before I shook his hands, I could feel his humility. A sense of sincerity that I’m important to him.
Dr Lim would not only shake my hands with passion and respect, he would also tilt his head and so gently bow to me.
He made me feel good about meeting him, and feel good about myself too.
When he asked, “How’re you?” I knew it was not a perfunctory question.
He meant it with all his heart and with only the best of intention.
He would look me into my eyes and wait.
He wanted to listen to me – I could feel it.
He would express care and concern and want to see if there were anything he could do for me.
He once told me, “When I shake hands with every person in church, I’ll pray for their well being in my heart.”
Wow!
Model yourself after these three Masters when you smile and shake hands with every person you meet.
Replicate their magic and soon, you’ll find the world smiling more heartily, regularly, and longer at you.
Keep smiling with utmost warmth and friendliness until the world can’t help but smile back at you.Go4It!
I hope this message will find a place in your heart.
By the way, I have also recorded other reflections.
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Life is FUNtastic!
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