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Do poor people smile more often?

Recently I watched a Netflix video on the Dalai Lama…

And he stated that poor people smile more often.

If the reincarnated Buddha, a fountain of wisdom and mystery for hundreds of thousands of people, were to hit me with a hammer, then perhaps I should listen.  Is that true?  Do poor people smile more often?  He certainly made me think…

The Dalai Lama explained that westerners, and wealthy people in particular, do not smile as often.

With higher net worth comes fear of protection.  He called it “excessive greed.”  Hmmm….

Is that true?

So I did a quick “Thought Experiment.”  Just like years ago in graduate school.  I imagined two isolated control groups and tested this thesis.

Group 1:  A recent gathering of parents and independent school students.  Dressed to kill for Prom.  At a private backyard.  With a photographer. Spectacular flowers and layers of gardens.  Private waterfall.  Limos waiting outside.  Dozens of spectacularly dressed young people.  Casually dressed parents.  Gnoshing on appetizers, wine, beer, cake pops on a stick. Casual conversations.  Smile factor among the higher net worth crowd:  4 out of 10.

Group 2:  A recent gathering of college students at an independent coffee shop.  Gatherings of 1-3 people.  Macbooks and ear buds.  Light music.  Sunlight cascading through the hexagonal shaped room.  Windows retrieved from some ancient church.  Plants overflowing from colorful ceramic pots.  Ripped jeans and tatoos.  Black grunge tee shirts sitting next to red flannel shirts.  Occasional outbursts of laughter.  Smile factor among the lower net worth crowd:  6 out of town.

These results are inconclusive.

What do you think?

Do poor people smile more often?

Call me with your story and examples… at 704.895.6479

Corporate earnings vs. wage earnings vs. professional development

Perhaps you have seen this chart from Q4, 2012?  This data amazed me.

The red line indicates corporate earnings, which are at an all time high.

The blue line indicates individual wage earnings, which are at an all time low.

The gap between these lines is one indication of low engagement by most workers.

IMHO we need more professional development of key talent.  Companies have the cash assets.  Individuals have the need.

What does this gap suggest about the need for professional development at your company?

What does this gap suggest about the proliferation of outsourced specialized roles, such as external coaching and consulting?  (Some 40% of the American workforce…)

I need your help.  I am part of that 40%.

Since 1997, I have guaranteed results with coaching and consulting clients.

Please give me a call and let me know how you are doing.  704.895.6479.  Thanks.