Give The Gift Of A Genuine Smile While Networking
At the next networking event you attend, I’d like to challenge you to give a gift to as many people as you possibly can while in attendance. It doesn’t have to be wrapped in fancy paper or even have a pretty bow. All you need is to offer each person you meet the gift of your “genuine” smile.
Many studies have been written regarding our smiles, but how powerful will it be when you consider your smile as a small gift to everyone you come into contact with at your next networking event. And, more importantly, they will realize it was a gift as well.
We’ve all been in situations where we were looking at someone while attending a meeting, or even walking down the street. When they made eye contact with us, we would immediately look away, right? We didn’t want them knowing we were looking at them. Why not?
Next time you make eye contact with someone, even if you don’t know them, offer them the gift of a genuine smile and see what their reaction is. I’m willing to bet, they will return the gift! If the situation is right, that small gesture usually creates an opportunity for you to introduce yourself. After all, isn’t that why you are attending networking events…..to meet people you don’t already know?
I’d like to offer you a few tips to ensure that you are sending the “right” message, however. The smile is one of the easiest forms of body language to interpret. So, be fully aware that your smile MUST be genuine.
Actually, think about some of the smiles that you have received lately. When someone flashes a quick smile, the message they are sending is that they are acknowledging you, but they are too busy to offer a genuine smile because that may lead into a conversation. So, if someone flashes you the quick smile…..smile back and keep moving. They probably aren’t open to having a conversation at the moment.
Then, there is a more genuine smile that takes a second or two to be communicated. Watch the eyes…..first they will raise their eyebrows. After they begin the smile with their eyes, their lips will follow the eyebrows and turn upward as well. A genuine smile is an invitation to say “hello.” Now, you can smile back and offer a handshake.
The first step in communication is in the eyes. The handshake is the first step to building a relationship.
April 5th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
There are some that say I have never met a stranger and I think it has a lot to do with the smile. It’s a way to let people know you are interested. Most things that need to be said can be understood with the look on a face and when you are working a room or just a one-to-one meeting, your interest and smile mean everything.
I really like the point about the smile being the opening, but the handshake the beginning of a relationship. I am a hugger after that first contact because I am so relational. For those of you that are not, I would tell you it is so much easier to start a relationship with a smile than trying to build a good relationship with a bad first impression. Plus it makes people wonder what is so good in their lives.
My unsolicited 2 cents.
Great Blog Jerry.