What's in a Handshake? More than you think...

In partnership with

You know, some folks think success is a grand, elaborate blueprint, like a Death Star plan—all laser cannons and meticulously calculated gravitational pull. But I'm here to tell you, it's often something as simple as the way you reach out your hand to another human being. It's the art of the handshake, the smile that’s not just for show, and the words that come not from your script, but from your soul. The more you truly absorb this simple truth, the more success will become as natural as breathing.

I’ve seen it with my own two eyes, like watching a shy caterpillar unfurl its wings to become a magnificent monarch. The old saying goes, “You can catch more flies with honey,” but I say, you can build an empire with genuine interest. You see, an attractive personality is less about what you have and more about what you give. It’s the difference between a cheap plastic novelty and a rare, vintage timepiece—one may sparkle for a moment, but the other has true value and lasts a lifetime.

Take, for instance, the tale of the unassuming master salesman from our last little chat. While the “star” salesmen were out there trying to force a square peg into a round hole—or, as I see it, trying to sell a Monet to a man who only wanted to talk about his macaroni art—this new fellow understood the secret. He didn't come with an agenda, he came with an ear. He met the artist where he lived, talking about his canvas as if it were the Sistine Chapel ceiling. He saw the person, not the piggy bank. He was, in a very real sense, selling the artist his own reflection, and the artist, in his joy and satisfaction, ended up buying the whole store.

It reminds me of a good ol' fashioned potluck. The person who brings the most lavish dish, the one that's a spectacle to behold, doesn't always win the day. No, the dish that wins is the one that's simple, honest, and made with love—the kind that makes you want to ask for the recipe. That's a pleasing personality in a nutshell. It’s an irresistible force of nature, like a gravitational pull, and the more you feel it, the more your own success becomes a foregone conclusion.

The world is full of people who are trying to sell, but so few are willing to simply listen. They're like a loud, obnoxious advertisement that interrupts your favorite show—you just want to change the channel. But when you meet someone who genuinely wants to hear your story, it’s as refreshing as a cold glass of lemonade on a scorching summer day.

And this isn't about being manipulative; it's about being authentic. A hollow compliment is as flimsy as a house of cards in a hurricane—it will crumble at the first sign of trouble. But genuine interest, like a deep-rooted oak, stands strong against the gales of life. The greatest compliment you can pay another person is to see them, truly see them. It's a superpower that costs nothing but yields a king's ransom. You may think I'm kidding, but every word you read and every idea you absorb is another step on the path to increase.

So, here’s my challenge to you: The next time you walk into a room, don’t think about what you can get. Think about what you can give. Don’t just look at people; really see them. And when you shake their hand, don’t just touch—connect. It may not feel like a big step, but trust me, it’s a giant leap toward a life of profound success.

Yours in the spirit of creation,

Bradley Woods

The Gold standard for AI news

AI keeps coming up at work, but you still don't get it?

That's exactly why 1M+ professionals working at Google, Meta, and OpenAI read Superhuman AI daily.

Here's what you get:

• Daily AI news that matters for your career - Filtered from 1000s of sources so you know what affects your industry.

• Step-by-step tutorials you can use immediately - Real prompts and workflows that solve actual business problems.

• New AI tools tested and reviewed - We try everything to deliver tools that drive real results.

• All in just 3 minutes a day

Join 1M+ pros