“Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark.”
In the realm of professional communication, a smile might seem like a small gesture, but its impact is immeasurable. It’s a universal language that transcends barriers and can make or break a deal.
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and this is even more true in the professional world. The way you look and the way you move is more than 80 percent of someone’s first impression of you. Not the word need be spoken.
A smile is one of the most positive non-verbal signals you can send. It communicates friendliness, trustworthiness, and likability. Especially in the world where many business meetings went online and we cannot communicate with a full spectrum of “body language”, facial expressions such as smile became even more crucial. At Veritas we often speak about the importance of “body language” and practice them during our discussions and presentations.
There are many scenarios where a simple smile can completely change the outcome of your business meeting, presentation or negotiation.
Have you ever been to a meeting where you felt prepared, confident, and armed with all the data and statistics you need to impress your potential clients. However, instead of quickly making the deal, your clients felt skeptical or even turned defensive?
Studies have shown that a smile can put both you and others at ease, creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere. In a business meeting, this can be the difference between a tense negotiation and a productive collaboration. When you smile, you convey warmth, approachability, and enthusiasm , all of which are crucial for building lasting connections and trust with your clients or colleagues.
There are many ways you can practice this simple technique and the first step is to become aware of your facial expressions. So next time when you walk into the office or join zoom meeting, remember to smile!
