Science Says: Smile More, Lead with Heart
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
One of the things that has come up for me recently is the practice of gratitude. It’s so easy, with all the pressures of life, to focus on the issues that arise daily and have them weigh us down.
Gratitude is often a balm for this very common human tendency and allows us to see what is good in our world and what is nurturing us. As a result of feeling gracious toward aspects of our life, we are often better able to cope with challenges and find optimism naturally emerging.
The Psychology of a Trustworthy Smile
Trust isn’t just a feeling; it’s a trigger.
Research suggests we evaluate trustworthiness based on facial cues that resemble happy expressions, like an upturned mouth and slightly raised eyebrows. One study found that people invested up to 42% more money in strangers who had “trustworthy” features. Why? Because, as research shows, feelings of trust quiet our risk radar.
When someone looks trustworthy, we’re less likely to imagine getting scammed or disappointed. So instead of spiralling through all the scary “what ifs” on the checkout page, we click “Buy now” with confidence.
In business, trust is what enables all successful transactions and lasting relationships.
Smiling signals to us that a person is likely approachable and has good intentions, which causes our guard to drop. But the effect runs deeper than just feeling comfortable.
Psychological insight: There's a difference between a genuine smile and a fake one. A real smile often called a Duchenne smile involves the muscles around the eyes, creating those little crow's feet. Fake smiles, on the other hand, often only use the mouth muscles and don't typically show bottom teeth. The benefits of smiling are only fully activated when the smile is genuine.
A Little Gratitude Goes a Long Way
It’s crucial to have the self-awareness to discern which type of gratitude to embrace on any given day. When you're having a tough day and your emotional capacity is likely reduced, being grateful for the wonderful things that bring you joy in your life is an easy tool to help uplift your mood. Want a simple ritual to feel calm morning or anytime you need a reset?
Gratitude Journal
🖊️ Today’s date:
🙏 I am deeply grateful today for…
😊 Moments that brought me joy…
💡 Something that inspired me…
🤝 Amazing people I’m thankful for…
🌅 Tomorrow, I look forward to…
📝 Notes / Reminders / Free thoughts
Keep it close. Let it become the gratitude ritual you’ll actually do and love.
