“An insincere grin? No. That doesn’t fool anybody. We know it is mechanical and we resent it. I am talking about a real smile, a heartwarming smile, a smile that comes from within, the kind of smile that will bring a good price in the marketplace” -Dale Carnegie
You may have heard the saying, “The expression we wear on our face is more important than the clothes we have on our back”. In my professional coaching, I have learned that this is far more than just a saying: It is a vital part of team performance.
Several year ago, I was coaching an owner of an HVAC company. He was looking at ways of better motivating his team and concluded that the expression on his face at rest was not inviting. He would have his brow furrowed and he looked both tense and intense. He surmised this could be the reason his employees were hesitant to approach him or admit a mistake.
With all his might, he began working on the habit of having a pleasant expression on his face. It was not easy. All he did was put a little twinkle in his eye around the edges. Almost immediately he noticed a difference in his team. He began getting more feedback from them, production went up, and turnover went down. He said he believes that his decision to improve the expression on his face was one of the best things he has done to grow his business.
Does this mean that we should walk around with a constant grin on our face all the time? No. there are times when we won’t be smiling at all. Our facial expression must always be congruent with the message we are delivering. What I am saying is that strong leaders are positive and approachable, and one of the simplest ways to project this is by our countenance. Try it with your family too!
