A SMILE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

In interviews, as with public speaking and performing, a genuine smile can make all the difference between polite acceptance or making a genuine connection. 

The Exceptional Spokesperson embodies the message and employs verbal and non-verbal language to communicate.  A smile is one of the visual tools that can make statements memorable, credible and compelling.  Facial expressions—even in telephone, radio and print interviews--can accentuate speech patterns, and add punch and zest to your statements.  A genuine smile shows you are happy and confident.  Even when delivering serious, technical or scientific information, a spokesperson who smiles naturally is displaying poise, competence and humanity.

Not all smiles are created equal.

Smiles are infectious. They cannot be forced or faked.  A real smile denotes sincerity. It engages the eye muscles, the cheeks and opens the nasal passages and aids breathing so that speech is enhanced and words come out clearer.

Experts in psychology and non-verbal communication have identified three types of smiles:

The Duchenne Smile is the natural smile.  It is characterized by movement of the muscles around the mouth, the eyes and cheeks.  The eyes wrinkle and brow rises.  The name comes from the Duchenne de Bologne, a 19^th century French neurologist who studied the physiology of emotion.

                                                             

President Obama's Duchenne Smile

The Pan American Smile takes its name from the wooden and overly polite smile of Pan American flight attendants.  It is also known as the “Botox smile” with voluntary movement around the mouth only.  It denotes someone who is paid to be nice to you but is not really having a great day.  It is also defined as an insincere or insecure smile that could alienate an audience.

Pan Am smile was inspired by the "service with a smile" artificiality of some flight attendants. 

                                                                                  

Down-turned smile or reverse smile:  Happens when the corners of the mouth are turned into a down-facing “u” shape.  It indicates high stress, unhappiness, anger, tension and that the speaker has something to hide. 

George W. Bush: classic example of a reverse smile.

So, even during phone interviews, a genuine smile can be heard and make the difference between a mediocre interview and an excellent one.