What’s in a smile? If you watch movies, a smile can be friendly and loving or downright evil! Smiling is a powerful tool when it comes to influencing others. Your smile is a sign to the world! It’s a social signal that can instantly put people at ease, make them more receptive to your ideas, and even increase their likelihood of liking you.
So regardless of where you are and what you are doing, your smile has the ability to influence others, and it can make or break you.
Your Smile and Your Power to Influence
Generally we think of a smile as being a sign of friendliness. It communicates to people signs of warmth, friendliness, and trustworthiness, all traits that are essential for influencing others.
When people see a genuine smile, they subconsciously feel more comfortable with you. This relaxed state of mind makes them more likely to be influenced, as they perceive you as being approachable and non-threatening.
We’ve all heard the saying, ‘Smile and the whole world smiles with you…’ and it’s a good saying to remember. People who smile frequently are seen as being happy and likable. More qualities that boost your ability to influence. When people like you, they’re naturally more inclined to listen to what you have to say, trust your opinions, and follow your lead.
Your smile is like a magnet, as it creates a sense of positive energy that draws others towards you.
First Impressions Count
One of the most important moments for influencing someone is during that first impression. Within seconds, you know whether you like someone or not, and the same for them… will they like you? Your smile can set the tone for the future. That is, if there will be a future or not.
Imagine walking into a social event, like a friend’s dinner party where you don’t know many people. As you scan the room, you notice two people standing near the entrance.
The first person catches your eye and gives you a warm smile. Instantly, you feel more at ease, like they’re welcoming you without saying a word. Their smile signals friendliness, and you feel like they are inviting you to join them.
Now, imagine the second person. They don’t smile. Instead, they have a frown on their face and look tense. You sense immediately that they may not be in a good mood, perhaps dealing with personal problems. Naturally, you feel hesitant to approach because those frown signals are not welcoming at all!
Smiling Builds Trust
People are naturally drawn to those they feel they can trust, and a smile is one of the easiest ways to demonstrate that you are trustworthy. In situations where you need to influence someone, whether it’s convincing a colleague, or guiding a client, trust is the foundation on which your influence is built.
If you smile, you create that foundation quickly and effortlessly.
Smiling Helps Persuade and Convince
When it comes to persuasion, the non-verbal cues you give off can be just as important as the words you say. Smiling is one of those non-verbal cues. Your smile can reinforce your message and make it more persuasive. People are more likely to be convinced by someone who appears genuine and positive, and a smile can convey both of those characteristics.
For example, if you’re trying to persuade a client to buy a product or service, presenting your offer with a smile makes you seem more confident and enthusiastic about what you’re offering. That enthusiasm can be contagious, making the client feel more excited about the possibility of saying yes.
On the other hand, if you present your offer with a bored or serious expression, you won’t be convincing at all, which will make it harder for you to influence their decision. You probably would have lost them with your first impression.
Not All Smiles are Created Equal
As I said earlier, a smile can make or break you. If you have to force a smile you may appear insincere or manipulative. If you want to influence others, your smile needs to be real, not faked.
Believe it or not, most people are pretty good at detecting a fake smile. Of course, some people are bent on deception, and they do get away with it. However, you’re not, so let your genuine smile shine through!
If you want to be able to influence others in a positive way and have them like you, smiling should be a big part of your approach. It’s such a simple step to do, so smile with purpose, because with every smile, you’re setting your stage for stronger influence!
