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Have you ever noticed that folks who lack confidence have a hard time
offering a genuine smile? Maybe they can give a nervous or deflective
smile, but that’s about it. Instead of worrying about their own limitations,
self-confident people offer a smile devoid of ulterior motives.
“I’m a positive person.”
“I’m happy with who I am.”
“I care about you more than my own problems.”
“Let’s connect.” – Approachability
If you want to send an instant message about your personal brand,
flash a smile. Let people know that not only did you show up, but
you’re happy to be there. Studies have shown that 93% of our comm-
unication is non-verbal, and a smile communicates positivity instant-
aneously.
Your problems are obviously important to you, but a smile commun-
icates otherwise. It’s unfortunate how busyness and stress thwart our
ability to connect with others. Choosing to smile despite circumstances
can help overcome this.
There is a difference between a smile to get someone’s business and
a smile to keep someone’s business. One is genuine and one isn’t.
One is a long-term commitment and one is only short-term. The best
smiles are the ones that last.
So how do you learn to smile if you’ve been accustomed to being a
grouch? My favorite example comes from a young lady named Anjeli.
In a professional development class we attended together, she shared
how she had forced herself to smile in the mirror all the while playing a
YouTube clip of a speech by the politician she most despised. She
figured if she could smile through the clip, she could smile in any
occasion. So can all of us, I believe.
Wherever you land on the smile spectrum, I encourage you to refresh
your commitment. Not only will it make you a friendlier, happier person,
it’s likely to put dollars in your pocket as well.
If you need to reach out to a new group you don’t know well, but you
know someone in the group has a great smile, who will you contact first? Obviously, it’s the person with the smile. Why? It’s simply easier, more
enjoyable and less emotionally taxing to interact with someone who is approachable.
“Let’s figure this out together.” – Collaboration
In a business setting, a smile can communicate an unsolicited offer to collaborate. Maybe not on the surface, but it’s the next step after
approachability. If you are happy to interact with someone, it follows
that you would be happy to see them succeed as well – including with
your involvement.
“Let’s work together.” – Business Development
I work with many vendor partners and the ones I enjoy most and seek
to do the most business with are the ones who are positive, collaborative
and make my problems their top priority. A smile is the invitation that
opens the door. It’s the first competitive advantage – and it’s the easiest
and cheapest form of marketing there is.
“I have your best interest in mind.” – Commitment
When we live our lives on the precipice of a smile, we shift how
we interact with the world, and in turn, how it interacts back.
Naomi Bagdonas
