The Major Impact of the Insignificant Smile.


This week I drove to Bristol. I had a lot on my mind and had been in some intense idea-storming with my friend and colleague during the journey. As we drove into the city, there was a moment where another vehicle found themselves in the wrong lane. We hung back and let them pull in front of us.

Nothing unique there, although what happened next was…

The driver didn’t just give a cursory wave. On passing, they made eye contact and gave us a genuinely broad smile that impacted both people in my vehicle. It really made a difference — purveying a sense of gratitude and appreciation that translated as responsive satisfaction, with us as the recipients. We started smiling too.

That brief, seemingly insignificant connection with another human in a completely insignificant situation was enough to change my day and put me in a wholly positive frame of mind. By doing that, it positively affected how I went on to treat others that day.

The chances are I’ll never see the other driver again, or be able to tell them what that little action meant; the best thing I can do is pay it forward.

I’m now far more conscious of the major impacts that little things can have in both our business and personal lives. With seemingly tiny actions, we can create genuinely meaningful and positive impacts. The great thing it — the actions cost nothing to take and we all have the capability to adopt these behaviours as strangers, friends, associates, leaders and influencers.

Here are a few things we can all do:

  • Say please
  • Show genuine gratitude
  • Smile
  • Be polite
  • Be interested
  • Be aware

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, but these are all human traits — not learned behaviours.

Try consciously bringing these things into play and see the impact they have on you, your colleagues, customers, family, friends and the people you encounter in your daily life. I’ll wager it’s positive.

No training needed!


[Note: I just posted this exact article on LinkedIn. I’m trying to work out which is the most productive platform!]