My journey to be “Smiley” again

To anyone that says you must be serious to be taken seriously … they are just wrong.

I owe most of my successes to my positive attitude. 

I started out my working life as a waitress at a Cheers-like pub. To increase tips, I wrote on each check, “have a good day” and added a smiley face.  😊  The regulars began calling me “Smiley”.  The boss bought us company jackets with our names on the front and mine didn’t say Sue, but Smiley.  I realized that I was known for being friendly and smiling.

When I entered the corporate world, it was apparent to me that some managers thought I should be a less smiley. I was seeing grumpy people getting promoted and squeaky wheel complainers getting their way.  I wondered if I needed to get more formal and earnest.

When I landed a job in an electronic banking department (which was a very new concept at the time) my friends told me to be more subdued and solemn since banks were serious places. We were encouraged to embrace computers.  To help me learn, I started a daily quote email blast with a Friday joke.  More and more people told me they liked Friday’s the best.  I turned the email into the “Daily Smile” with humor every day.  People started asking to join my mailing list and sharing it with their friends.  My boss enjoyed that I was using technology and becoming well known.  When I considered looking for a new role, he gave me a raise and asked me to stay with him. 

Life changed.  I was fortunate enough to open my own online shop. I sought advice from friends that owned their own businesses. One owner told me that people can hear you smile when you engage them, so always wear a smile no matter what else is going on in your life. Many of my repeat customers told me they returned to my shop (even though my prices were not the cheapest) because I was always happy and fun to deal with. I began to realize that I could get ahead in life without having to be grumpy or a complainer.

Fast forward and I am back in the corporate world. I planned a retirement event for an executive that had been with the company 40 years (we will call him “Bill”).  It was an important event with many executives in attendance. Our division vice president (who had worked with Bill for decades) spoke at the event.  He started his talk by stating that his favorite thing about Bill was the fact that no matter what was going on, Bill always said, “good morning” and was always willing to share a smile.

I was shocked.   What an odd thing to mention regarding a career that spanned 40 years.

I asked the vice president about it later and he stated that at the end of the day he respected people that worked through issues, projects, and assignments with a smile and a positive attitude.

Fast forward to my current position.  I started this job with a smile and a cheerful attitude.  I decided the people that thought you needed to be more stern to be professional were just misinformed.  I am very good (and professional) at what I do, but I always try and say “hi” to everyone and put a smile in my voice when engaging people.  People have mentioned how nice it is to see me always with a smile.  My bosses have appreciated my kind attitude and I have been promoted twice in three years. 

Smiley lives!   😊