Begin and End with a Handshake.

To me, a business relationship begins with the handshake. The handshake, is wonderfully described by National Post writer Joshua Rapp Learn, as "one of the highest forms of symbolic currency with the power to unite, divide, seal deals, and broker peace." It is the handshake that greets the new applicant, the new partner or the new boss. It generally is a show of good faith and trust. The handshake contributes to the first impression an employer, a client, or potential partner makes of you. For thousands of years, the handshake has been used as a symbol of greeting, gratitude, and so on. In modern American culture, it can show good sportsmanship or respect to a competitor.

Handshakes also are a symbol of parting. It is a handshake that concludes the meeting, completes the deal or finalizes the sale.They congratulate a competitor for their victory, wish someone well on their voyage home, or in future business ventures. Over time, the handshake has become a social custom that is practiced by the Western world through interactions between all statuses, and in most cases, reflects a mutual respect for both parties involved, be it in the business or social setting.

To me, a business relationship should also end with the handshake. The challenge come when business relationships do not always end on a positive note. This does not mean the relationship should end differently. Nothing changes when a professional relationship ends in a negative context, such as a termination. While these situations tend to be incredibly personal in spite of it being "just business," it is imperative to remember that when dealing with human beings, showing respect is sometimes all we can leave them with. Everyone deserves respect. Everyone. I will then extend my hand, and offer my equally sincere wishes for the future of that individual, and hopefully...

We shake hands.

I believe that a professional business relationship should begin, and end with a handshake. How you get there depends on you.