For decades, the handshake was almost automatic. You met someone, extended your hand, and the meeting began.
Today, it’s not so simple.
A recent article discussing the changing role of the handshake got me thinking. Since the pandemic, many people have become more conscious of personal space, health, and physical contact. Others never really enjoyed handshakes in the first place. Add in cultural differences, generational preferences, and individual comfort levels, and what used to be a universal greeting no longer feels universal.
So what do you do?
The answer, I think, is surprisingly simple: pay attention.
If someone extends their hand, shake it confidently. If they don’t, don’t force the moment. A smile, eye contact, and a genuine “It’s great to meet you” are often all that’s needed.
This isn’t really a story about handshakes.
It’s about adapting to people instead of expecting people to adapt to us.
As product designers and UX professionals, we spend a lot of time thinking about users rather than ourselves. We observe behavior instead of making assumptions. We remove friction where we can. The same mindset applies in everyday interactions.
Good leaders do the same thing.
They notice body language. They recognize different comfort levels. They understand that respect isn’t demonstrated by following one rigid rule—it’s demonstrated by making other people feel comfortable.
The handshake isn’t disappearing. It’s simply no longer the default. That means there isn’t one “correct” greeting anymore. There are only thoughtful ones.
In many ways, this is a small example of a larger shift happening in business. Success increasingly depends on emotional intelligence, adaptability, and reading the room. Whether you’re leading a meeting, interviewing a candidate, meeting a client, or introducing yourself at a conference, the best first impression often comes from paying attention before taking action.
Ironically, that’s probably the lesson the handshake was trying to teach us all along.
Sometimes the best way to connect with someone starts by observing—not assuming.
