Today's post has nothing to do with Raj Rajaratnam, who was
convicted this morning on all 14 counts in the biggest case in the government's crakdown on insider trading. (He faces up to 19 and a half years in prison in sentencing, but is expected to appeal.)
It is about the power of smiling. Yes, the shape of your facial muscles. This may seem off topic, and it is, but how much you smile could have a big impact on how your clients see you. According to recent research, your smile can predict how successful you will be, says Ron Gutman, founder and CEO of HealthTap, in a thought-provoking, smile-inducing talk on TED.com. And that is at least in part because the more you smile, the more competent you seem to others. Other big benefits: Smiling is as stimulating is as receiving up to $25,000 cash. Also, the bigger your smile, the longer you'll live, and the better you'll feel.