#leadership

Why don't more leaders smile?

In the day and age of mask wearing (please, wear yours), I find myself thinking back to the power of a smile. One of the things I reflect on as a leader is the ability to share a smile with someone on my team. 1/4

It's not much, but it goes a long way to softening tension, creating a safe place for expression and ideation, and relieving the burden of perfection. 2/4

I remember @BarackObama's smile. It was contagious and comforting. There is something powerful to being a leader who understands the difference between taking themselves too seriously vs understanding there is a serious job to do. 3/4

A smile, even in the midst of serious moments, can convey a sense of "I've got you" or "I'm right here with you."

So, leaders...open yourselves up and smile. Even behind a mask, a smile can still be visible. It will show in how you carry yourself and how you engage others. 4/4