22 Mar When you’re Smiling
When You’re Smiling is a 1920’s song popularized by singer/ trumpeter Louis Armstrong. The lyrics were upbeat, so his broad smile was a match.
Today, in New Mexico, a local husband and wife team are featured in commercials about their law firm. He delivers the pitch as they walk together, while she sports a fixed, disingenuous grin. It’s unnerving.
Perhaps someone in their firm told the attorneys to appear more cheerful, so they plastered smiles on their faces. They might be discussing auto accidents, losing a case, or divorce, but they’re smiling. Whether from a colleague’s suggestion or prompted by speaker anxiety, inappropriate smiling is a thing to be mindful of and avoid.
Being self-aware is critical when presenting. Authenticity is key. Don’t hold back from expressing yourself, and if your content warrants it, by all means smile. It can draw an audience to you. But if you’re delivering a serious subject, take a page from Shakespeare and have your action suit the words and the words suit the action.
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