Best question of the week: why do you smile?

Not a LinkedIn-themed post, just a human and emotional one.

A while ago a colleague advised me to smile more in my presentations.

In my mind I was concentrating too hard on the present and future thoughts and how to say them that I forgot to show I was actually enjoying myself.

And I do enjoy every minute I get in front of an audience. But it was not always obvious from my facial expression and body language.

Can you imagine me smiling as you read this? I am! Because I exited my comfort zone and composed this, in hopes we get some really meaningful conversation going around this topic. Read on. 

So in a recent talk, I asked for the recording and muted it to just watch myself cavort. I was smiling! I was having fun. The audience was too. Win-win for all. Positive feedback from the people who hired me too!

So, I open this post to you, and am asking you to comment below in words not emojis, in words, please to tell me, and for all of us to see, for our human emotional conversation: beyond “the what” that makes you smile:

Why do you smile?

My guidance in forming your reply in words (again not emojis please or you fail the assignment), tellus what you think makes you smile:

• When you read an email from a valued colleague?
• When you read a post from a connection aimed at making you a better professional?
• When you are asked your opinion, or offer it, knowing you are helping people you may never meet or see.

Now it’s your turn: please respond in words below and answer this simple question: why do you smile?

Warning: flying demons will swoop down on you if you invoke emojis. Word angels will flitter around your new halo for thinking deeply and writing your elevated comments in human language.