My dad was generous with his smile. He gave it to everyone in his path.
My dad knew how to smile. His smile was bright, wide, warm and genuine. Plus he was generous with it. He loved engaging with people, everyone.
Do not misunderstand, he was not always happy. He had his struggles, and they could get him down at times.
But, no matter how he was feeling or what he was struggling with, when his eyes first met yours, he pulled out his big smile.
When he passed away, numerous people mentioned his smile to me as they offered their condolences. Apparently he shared his smile, his warmth with anyone in his path. How awesome is that! Psychologist Susan Pinker's research has shown that his smiling habit benefited not only the receivers of his smile, but him. The good hormone dopamine is released when you connect in-person with someone, even if it's only a smile. Smiling makes you feel better. Plus these in-person interactions strengthen our immunities naturally and are essential to our overall well being. A smiling habit sounds good to me.
Leaders,
I challenge you to work on your smile. Smile at your coworkers when you first see them. Work on making this healthy practice a habit through repetition. Do it every day.
Try this - when you come in the office, take a tour around the office and see how many smiles you can collect from others. Yes, count them. Each day try to beat your best number.
Plus, see if Susan Pinker is right. Note your mood before you enter the office and then note your mood after your smiling tour.
Consistently smiling as you greet people is a good practice to role model. If you are still wearing a face-covering in the office, try it on your virtual calls and be ready to go on a smiling tour when the masks come off at your workplace.
Key Points:
- Smiling is a simple, science-backed way to improve workplace mood, foster connection, and support mental well-being.
- Leaders who consistently greet others with a smile set a tone of warmth and inclusivity that boosts team morale and culture.