And, apparently, it really IS a happy Monday in the Philadelphia area, as evidenced by a recent article in The Philadelphia Business Journal citing a new Harris Poll that said Philadelphia is the third happiest city in the United States.
I think that warrants a 🙂
Happiness and optimism are most definitely contagious and can contribute to good workplace morale and lead to effective interpersonal communications.
So, let go of any “baggage” at the door, and use these three tactics to “get your happy on” at work:
1) A common courtesy that seems to have fallen by the wayside – but that I believe is still very important — is pleasantly greeting coworkers each morning as they arrive. That means you turn away from your monitor or smart phone, lift your head, look the other person in the eye, smile, and say, “Good morning.”
2) Your facial expression speaks volumes, so make sure you maintain a pleasant grin when others are speaking to you during client meetings. Also, be sure you flash an open-mouth smile from time to time during presentations, sometimes paired with a head nod – to connect with audience members. The goal isn’t to look like The Joker with a wide-tooth grin. A genuine, warm smile goes a long way – especially if you are trying to gain buy-in for a concept or close a deal.
3) If you are often on the phone with prospects and clients – or coordinating teleconference calls – position a small mirror nearby. Then, try to keep a smile on your face as you make and take calls. The happy expression that you see will translate in your voice and makes the listener more receptive to what you’re saying.
You’ll also be happy to know that BRODY will soon be offering a free webinar series on various professional development topics. Stay tuned for further details on this offering in future blogs.