They're exercising their "aerobics instructor" face.
Smiley people are sometimes faking it, suggests Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, who learned the art of forced cheer during her stint as an aerobics instructor back in the 1980s. In her book,
Lean In, she recalls that after an hour of beaming broadly, she genuinely felt happier. (
Science backs this up.) One more thing: Achor writes that
a powerful way to ensure that you come across as positive is to take a close look at the person talking with you, because we mirror one another unconsciously. Is her expression anxious? Disengaged? Tired? If so, he suggests that you change your own face "and see if the other person follows the new script." Chances are, she will.
