Yvonne de Bark suggests mirror exercise for better meeting etiquette

Coach and author Yvonne de Bark suggests a ‘mirror trick’ to improve facial expressions during professional meetings. She notes that intense concentration in person or via video calls can often be misinterpreted as being sad or dismissive.

To practice, de Bark recommends a two-minute exercise: stand before a mirror, close your eyes, and smile as it feels natural. Upon opening your eyes, adjust the smile so it appears effective without looking foolish. In actual meetings, rather than maintaining a constant grin, she advises using occasional friendly expressions paired with slight nodding to appear more sympathetic. This practice may also provide a psychological benefit, as lifting the corners of the mouth can send positive signals to the brain.