The imam giving the salam when he sits on the pulpit

Al-Sha'bi said: When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ascended the minbar on Friday, he would face the people and say "As-salamu alaykum (Peace be upon you)." Then he would praise and extol Allah Almighty and recite a surah. Then he would sit down, then stand up and deliver the khutbah, then come down (from the minbar). Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) also used to do the same.

Abu Nadrah said: Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) had grown old; when he ascended the minbar he would give the greeting (salam), then he would remain (there) for as long as it takes a person to recite Umm al-Kitab (Surah al-Fatihah).

Amr bin Muhajir said: Umar bin Abd al-Aziz, after ascending the minbar, used to greet the people with salam, and the people used to return his greeting.