Power Play: Your smile is a powerful weapon

Sour people are never fun to be around.

What they don’t know is that a smile is their greatest weapon in any room.

It can make an icy room 10 degrees warmer and soften up even the toughest critic. It conveys energy and kindness, and it levels the playing field when the cards are stacked against us.

But mostly, when there’s nothing much to say, it works as an excellent holding pattern in an awkward moment.

The most important thing Power Players know about a smile is that if you force yourself to do it (especially in a crappy situation) it makes you feel a million times better.

When it’s a particularly tough day, a big smile can turn the tide and restore your equilibrium. The best Power Players can be found walking toward a mirror and smiling at themselves, just to see a happy reflection staring back.

Try it the next time you find yourself in a dark place.