I’m posting this video not for the content (although it’s interesting), but for the smile on my face. I want to share advice I gave about smiling to a client recently. The woman executive wants to smile more in presentations because she’d noticed that senior leaders (men and women) at her organization typically have positive expressions on their faces when they’re speaking and listening. I told her about the lesson I learned from being a TV news reporter. Our natural, resting face can appear pretty downbeat, even if that’s not our intention. As a reporter, I became more intentional about my facial expressions. The important times to smile are when I begin speaking, when I wrap-up, and when I’m listening. Sometimes it’s appropriate to smile widely, while there other times when it’s better to intentionally “turn-up” the corners of our mouth. The situations and topics that call for a stern face are far fewer than we may think. My recommendation? Be intentional about smiling. Record yourself on your phone to confirm the “level” of smile that appears natural and authentic for you. As my colleague, Holly Conner says “Smiling is infectious and provides a very subtle but immediate connection with your audience.” Watch the video to see more and let me know your thoughts - did I get the smile right in the video? Any suggestions for me?