{"href":"http://player.captivate.fm/services/oembed?url=http%3A%2F%2Fplayer.captivate.fm%2Fepisode%2F2b1ff2d7-22e8-40c9-b402-4d8efea37ebd","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Captivate.FM","provider_url":"https://www.captivate.fm","width":600,"height":200,"type":"rich","html":"<iframe style=\"width: 100%; height: 200px;\" title=\"Shaking Hands and Changing Roles \u2013 Work In Sports Podcast\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" allow=\"clipboard-write\" seamless src=\"http://player.captivate.fm/episode/2b1ff2d7-22e8-40c9-b402-4d8efea37ebd\"></iframe>","title":"Shaking Hands and Changing Roles \u2013 Work In Sports Podcast","description":"Is it OK to respectfully decline a handshake prior to a job interview? That and more on the Work In Sports podcast!Hey everybody, I\u2019m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning at <a href=\"http://workinsports.com\">WorkInSports.com</a> and this is the Work In Sports podcast\u2026I feel like we have a lot to talk about today. Big picture stuff. So we\u2019re just going to jump into things.\u00a0Great question today coming up from Giovanna P, Giovanna is a member of our private facebook group and posted a really great question yesterday that we\u2019re going to dig into soon.But first -- a question from a friend of mine, someone who wishes to remain anonymous, but presented a very, very timely and important question.This friend asked:\u201cHey Brian, I have an interview coming up this week I am very excited about, I\u2019ve heard you talk about first impressions a lot on your show, and I value it\u2019s importance as well. \u00a0 Handshakes, eye contact, smiles -- all important stuff.But I have to admit - normally, I hate handshakes, I\u2019m a bit of a germaphobe by nature, but I struggle through it in these instances. But now, with coronavirus and the instances of community transmission...is it fair for me to avoid a handshake completely?\u201d&nbsp;Friend who slipped into my DMs\u2026 yes. 100%.<a href=\"https://www.workinsports.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/qa_cover.png\"></a>I won\u2019t deny there is a part of me that thinks, ugh, I hate this catch 22, because that awkward first moment could be damaging and we should all just suck it upBut that is crappy advice. \u00a0Let\u2019s be real people -- if someone is offended right now, by someone not wanting skin to skin contact - that person is an a-hole.\u00a0I think there is a way to do it respectfully, and proactively that helps avoid any awkwardness.\u00a0You have to think ahead and start your motion before someone else moves to shake. At this time you raise your hand higher, shoulder height, and start to wave courteously.Hey John nice to meet you, waving at them.\u00a0If anyone says \u2013 \u201coh we\u2019re not doing handshakes\u201d because some people can\u2019t help themselves, they have to be a meathead, its lodged in their DNA. Just be respectful and say something while smiling like, \u201cit feels like an appropriate choice\u201dIf they push any further \u2013 this is a red flag, and likely not someone you\u2019d want to be around in a work role anyway. Put this in your data file and remember you are choosing them as much as they are choosing you. \u00a0Alas, I don\u2019t think this will happen \u2013 a polite wave, with eye contact, sends the signal quote clearly \u2013 we\u2019re not doing that\u2026and in this time in our history, quite understandable.Again, you have to make your move early -- and take charge with a wave. So, there is no awkward hand out-stretched and you start retching, like they are handing you tetanus.You who listen to this show know I am not a big quotes guy -- not a big fan of the posters with quotes. BUT, I have a few movie type moments that bounce around in my head a lot.\u00a0One, is from the movie \u201cthe girl with the dragon tattoo\u201d great book series, decent movie, which is very applicable here.I won\u2019t get into the full scene, but the bad guy says to the good guy:\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSometimes the fear of offending can be stronger than the fear of pain\u201d\u00a0Let\u2019s break that down into everyday life.\u00a0Would you shake someone\u2019s hand, knowing it *could* harm you, because you are afraid to offend them?Really think about that.Would you shake someone\u2019s hand knowing it could hurt you, just because you are afraid to offend them?Think about this in your daily life \u2013 have you ever made a choice that you really really questioned, just because you were afraid to offend the other person?I\u2019ve known women, who went out on dates with guys they hated because they were afraid to offend them.I\u2019ve known guys, who went base jumping, or some other risky move because they didn\u2019t want to offend the friend who booked the surprise trip.Are these smart choices? Don\u2019t make decisions, important decisions, based on your fear of offending.","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/5a03fdfc-d1bb-4aca-8c45-d07da6d85d3c/wispod-cover.png"}