People like people who smile. If you don’t smile, you’re less likable. That’s the short version for you busy people.

Some time back,  I interviewed a great candidate but I couldn’t submit him to any of my clients. He just didn’t smile enough.

Even when he was talking about something that excited him, he kept a poker face. What does it convey to your potential employer when you don’t back up your words with emotion? Insincerity and insecurity. Not at the top of the list of most desirable qualities in a new employee. My candidate was a solid guy though and he wanted the truth, took the advice well and then told me he didn’t like his teeth. He’s embarrassed by them. Teeth don’t win friends and influence people, smiles most certainly do. One of the most successful salespeople I ever knew was frequently described as having, well, let’s just say “less than desirable teeth” by his peers. He outsold all of them partly because he out-smiled all of them.

For those who don’t smile enough, here is a simple exercise that can and literally has changed lives.

• Find a busy place (mall, airport, downtown sidewalk, etc.).
• Walk around and smile at as many people as you possibly can. Count the smiles returned, they will far outnumber the other faces combined.
• When you get to 20 smiles celebrate your mastering a great technique.

Next time you’re going for an important Salesforce interview, have a big presentation to give or you simply want a pick-me-up, leave the poker face at home. Instead, hit the street for a quick 10 smiles. You’ll be amazed how quickly the world shares with you what has always been there, all for the low cost of a grin.