Jack Lew's Signature Loopy, But What Does Yours Say About You?
It's an old joke that a doctor's signature is illegible, but what do people say about a lawyer's signature?
If that lawyer is Jack Lew -- a Georgetown Law grad, White House Chief of Staff and President Obama's nominee for Secretary of the Treasury -- then what most people are saying is his signature is weird. It's long and loopy and completely illegible, which is a problem for someone who could be signing all your dollar bills before long.
Jack Lew's signature is the subject of debate as people wonder whether it's fit to print. But you might also want to consider what your own lawyerly signature says about you.
Handwriting experts can tell a lot about a person by their signature, or at least about the image they project. The way you write your name gives away many personality clues.
Already, handwriting analysts are examining what Jack Lew's signature might mean about his personality, reports The Washington Post. The round loops indicate softness, while the illegibility means he likes to protect his privacy, according to professional graphologist Kathi McKnight.
Even if you don't believe in the details of handwriting analysis, it's hard to argue that people never read anything into handwriting or a signature. You can use that to your advantage.
Size Matters
One of the first things people notice about your signature is size. Keep it small and you may appear self-deprecating, according to a source on HubPages. If it's too large, that can suggest the opposite, that you're conceited or egocentric.
Even if clients don't pick up on this, a too-small signature is hard to read and a too-big one takes over the page. Instead, practice a signature that is a similar size to your writing.
"Open" or "Cramped"?
Another point to consider is openness. Handwriting analyst Sheila Kurtz says that open loops indicate imagination. To people reading your signature, they may also indicate general openness or open-mindedness as a personality trait.
On the other hand, that means a cramped or crab-like signature could be giving the wrong impression to clients.
Should You Change Your Signature?
Luckily, a signature is easy to fix. Practice different ways of signing your name and when you find one you like, work on it. Take your time writing it, rather than speeding through.
It's not unusual for people to change a signature for various reasons. It may be necessary to make the name more legible or to appear more professional.
Outgoing Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner made a whole new John Hancock to sign our national currency, as his previous signature was illegible, reports Marketplace. Jack Lew's signature may also have to change if he's confirmed as Geithner's replacement.
Related Resources:
- Will Jack Lew change his signature for U.S. currency? (USA Today)
- Yes, Your Social Media Account Could Ruin Your Career (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
- 7 Foods Lawyers Should Avoid in the Office, Courtroom (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)