New Manager Rule #10: Walk the Walk, Smile the Smile

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Manager walking confidently into a room


“Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody’s heart.”

Now, you might be wondering, “Dad, who’s this D’Angelo guy, and why should I care what he says about smiling?” Well, let me enlighten you. D’Angelo isn’t just some random quote machine – he’s a thought leader in education and personal development who’s made a career out of inspiring people to reach their potential.

D’Angelo founded The Collegiate Empowerment Company and has authored several books on personal growth and leadership, including “The College Blue Book” and “The Inspiration Book Series.” He’s spent years studying what makes people tick and how to bring out the best in them. In other words, he knows a thing or two about influence and connection – key skills for any leader.

When D’Angelo talks about smiling being the key to everybody’s heart, he’s not just spouting feel-good nonsense. He’s tapping into a fundamental truth about human interaction. A smile is a universal language, a tool that can break down barriers and open doors faster than you can say “synergy.”

But here’s the kicker – D’Angelo’s insight goes beyond just smiling. It’s about the whole package of how you present yourself. Your smile, your walk, your energy – they’re all part of the nonverbal communication that can make or break your effectiveness as a leader.

So when we combine D’Angelo’s wisdom about the power of a smile with the art of walking confidently and moving with purpose, we’re creating a trifecta of leadership presence. Let’s break it down:


Walk confidently.

Strut like you own the place, even though you’re just renting. But seriously, when you move through the office, people are watching, so show them you are their leader.

Always smile.

Perfect the warm smile and the “glad to see you” laugh.

Let this sink in: your walk and your smile are your personal billboard, advertising “Leadership: Now Playing at a Cubicle Near You!”

First, let’s talk about that walk. Imagine you’re on a catwalk, but instead of showcasing the latest fashion, you’re modeling confidence, purpose, and “I’ve got this” energy. Stand tall (remember Rule 1?), shoulders back, and move with intention.

Move fast:

When you move through the office, move like you have a purpose. You’re not just walking; you’re on a mission. Every step should say, “I’m on my way to do important leader stuff.” Even if you’re just heading to the break room to figure out who keeps stealing your lunch (Pro tip: it’s probably Dave from Accounting).

But here’s the catch – you’re not actually on a runway, and you’re not running from zombies either. So find that sweet spot between “confident stride” and “I’m late for my spacecraft launch.” We’re aiming for purposeful, not panicked. Think of it as power-walking with style. You want people to see you and think, “Wow, they must have something important to do,” not “Who set the building on fire?”

Moving with purpose does a few things:

1. It shows you value time – yours and others’.

2. It creates an energy that’s contagious. (The good kind of contagious, not the “call the CDC” kind.)

3. It makes you look decisive and action-oriented.

Just know, fast doesn’t mean reckless. We don’t want you leaving a trail of knocked-over interns and spilled coffee in your wake. It’s all about that controlled urgency.

Smile the Smile

Now, onto that smile. Your smile is like your secret weapon. It’s the WD-40 of human interactions – it makes everything run smoother. But we’re not talking about a permanent, plasticky grin that makes people wonder if you’re secretly a robot sent from the future to infiltrate middle management. No, we’re after the warm, genuine smile that says, “I’m approachable, I’m engaged, and I definitely didn’t just forget your name.”

Perfect that “glad to see you” laugh, too. It’s like the cherry on top of your friendly sundae. Just make sure it’s sincere. Nothing worse than a fake laugh – it’s like non-alcoholic beer. What’s the point?

Combined Presence:

Combine these elements, and you’ve got a powerful presence. You’re walking through the office like you’re on a mission (which you are – the mission of great leadership), and you’re greeting people with a warm smile and a genuine laugh. It’s like you’re the host of the world’s best party, and the party is your team’s success.

Here’s a Pro Tip:

Practice your power walk, purposeful pace, and smile combo at home. Strut from room to room, moving quickly but smoothly, smiling and nodding at the furniture. The couch won’t care, but you’ll build muscle memory. Just don’t do the “glad to see you” laugh at the refrigerator. That’s a step too far, even for method acting.

The key, is consistency. Don’t save your confident walk, purposeful movement, and winning smile for big meetings or when the CEO is around. Make it your default setting. Because leadership isn’t a sometimes thing – it’s an all-the-time thing.

Let this sink in: you’re not just walking to a destination; you’re moving purposefully towards your future as a great leader. And that smile? It’s not just a facial expression; it’s an invitation for others to join you on that journey. So walk tall, move fast, smile bright, and lead on, my son. Just watch out for that conference room table – confidence and purpose are great, but spatial awareness is crucial too. The last thing you want is to power-walk into a glass door. Trust me, no amount of smiling can recover from that gracefully.

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Kevin B. Leigh
Co-Founder / Writer / Serial Growth Hacker Kevin Leigh co-founded Dealer Simplified, LLC, a company dedicated to simplifying automotive software. The goal of Dealer Simplified is to jump-start the profit centers in dealerships while keeping the processes and software simple and easy to understand and implement. Kevin is also an accomplished author and is passionate about writing and blogging. His latest novel, “Gollup the Woods” was inspired by the stories he heard from his father on their many trips through the Irish countryside. Kevin currently resides in Alden, New York with his wife Mary and their three boys. Leigh spends his spare time volunteering with various community organizations.

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