Who are the real heroes? What qualities do such people have that other people follow them?
People follow those who walk with a spring in their step, not shufflers and plodders. They move toward faces with smiles on them and avoid frowners. They appreciate folks who can have a little fun at their own expense. They pick up on the zest for life that makes these endearing traits possible. They tap into the confidence of such people and follow them.
Dr. Karl Menninger tells of a time when former US president Thomas Jefferson was traveling on horseback with a group of friends. They group came to a river and found the bridge had been washed away by a flash flood, and the only way across was to have their horses swim the treacherous currents. It would be risky as each rider had to take his life into his hands to cross the river.
A man traveling on foot came upon the group just then, walked up to Mr. Jefferson and asked if he might ride across with him. The former president agreed, and they made it across safely.
As the man slid off the horse on the river’s opposite bank, one of the riders asked him, “Why did you select President Jefferson when you asked this favor of us?” Stunned, the man admitted that he hadn’t known it was the president. “All I know,” he explained, “is that on some of your faces was written the answer ‘No,’ and on some of them was the answer ‘Yes.’ His was a Yes face.”
Hey, how about that? A person with a “Yes” face is the one people would like to follow.
Let me ask you one question now. Are you a person with a “Yes” face or does your countenance shout the words “No?” “Get Away From Me.” “I’m sad, and I’m miserable. And I don’t want to help you.” In other words, if you do not have a “Yes” face, then you have a face that looks like a piece of preserved raisin. The bigger ones would look like prunes.
You go to a store. Which type of salespersons makes you glad? The ones with a “Yes” face or the ones with a “sun-dried tomato look?” And if you would prefer to deal with a person with a sunny disposition, what gives you the idea that people will admire you if you had a very unpleasant disposition?
All things being equal, the people who are most likely to be promoted are the well-liked people. Therefore, it is safe to say that the secret to success is to have a “Yes” face disposition.
One day, I asked our national treasure, Joe Mari Chan. I said, “Joe, why is it that every time people see you, you would always bring out a smile on their faces?” And being an inspiration that he is to many, Joe says, “We need to smile all the time. Life is hard. Without a smile then people perceive us as proud and miserable. A smile on the face is always better.”
Look at the Bible characters. Gideon farmed, Paul made tents, and Dorcas sewed. Moses was a shepherd, Luke a physician, and Joseph a statesman. If you had access to their performance evaluations, I’ll bet you’d find high marks not only for competence and hard work, but also for attitude. They were definitely “Yes face” people.
So why not put on your “Yes face?” Meet whomever and whatever comes with an energetic, positive, enthusiastic spirit. It will lift you above the ordinary and allow the presence of God to touch others through you.
And by the way, as the economy begins to open up and the alert levels start going down, and if you’re driving your way to work or going home, don’t let traffic and those rude motorists remove the “Yes” away from your face too.
(Francis Kong’s highly acclaimed Level Up Leadership Master Class Online will have its final run for the year from Nov. 17 to19. For inquiries and reservations, contact April at +63928-559-1798 or and for more information, visit www.levelupleadership.ph)