Before a word is even said, a great first impression can be made by simply smiling. The smile is an archaic gesture, with an unknown origin, and is shared by all ethnicities. At least we aren’t like certain members of the animal kingdom, where a tooth-bearing smile could mean you’re threatening a rival to a fight!
Be honest though. The Duchenne smile, a smile that involves the mouth and the corners of your eyes, is known to be done out of pure affection and emotion. It’s hard to replicate, unless you want someone calling you out on it!
(from smile-video.com)
A smile can lead to a great conversation, interesting ideas and the start of a great relationship. From those relationships, varying opportunities can rise. Imagine beginning a meeting with a snarl or a frown. Odd huh?
Within Mercedes Alfaro’s article titled, “Business Manners: an Important Ingredient to Success,” she places an important emphasis on smiling, noting:
“A smile shows that you like yourself; you like your current place in the world and you’re happy with the people you’re interacting with. No one will say you’re crabby if you’re smiling. A smile says, I’m approachable and confident.”
The power of good natured business, relationships and diplomacy via smiling and being amicable has even made it to books, such as Paul Spiegelman’s Why Is Everyone Smiling?
With so many advocates of smiling for success, perhaps we should practice more of it as well, letting go of the stereotypical oh-so-serious business model.
Tags: business, communication, relationships, Smiling, success, Ways to Say Hello, work
February 16, 2008 at 12:51 am
I was never good at smiling, it always seem so forced. I reckon I had a lot of life taken out of me as a kid by an abusive string of step-dads and mommy’s boyfriends. I know what you mean though. I just wish I could bypass that initial impression and tell people what I am about.