The Experiment

When I took a jog this morning, I "ran" an experiment. (Yes, pun intended!) My hypothesis was that if I warmly and energetically greeted the people I passed, that I would feel great and that it would make others happy.

I jogged in the street to provide social distance from others. To the individuals who were walking their dogs on the sidewalk, biking down the street, or driving a bus, I smiled and waved, adding the occasional "good morning!" greeting.

Such extroversion is not entirely out of the ordinary for me, and I grew up in a Midwestern neighborhood where not greeting those you passed was considered rude. However, performing this experiment in Chicago during a global pandemic took my instinctual practices to the next level.

The Results

I was happy to see that my hypothesis was correct. Every single person kindly returned the gesture, their eyes showing the smile that their face masks hid. Since I ran a good distance up and then down one long street, I saw several people twice. I was surprised that when a cyclist and a dog-walker saw me for the second time on my return down the street, these two distinct individuals initiated a greeting back to me. They did not know that I would be returning down the same street, so when they saw me again there was likely an element of surprise. In the choices that they made to energetically wave at me, I realized the power of connection in recognition. They remembered me and what I did, and they impulsively responded in kind. It made me feel more than great.

I realize that my actions would likely have been considered a bit off-kilter in the universe in which we used to live - the type of thing that you might expect from the "characters" every CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) commuter knows all too well. However, in a time when we are not supposed to be spreading germs, we can spread energy. We can spread happiness.

As it relates to Change

As a change manager, I am cognizant of how a critical mass of individual change yields powerful collective change. Just as the majority of people staying at home supports public health, the majority of people being as kind to others as they can during this time (and in the future!) yields a kinder society.

As it relates to Leadership

As a leadership development professional, I am cognizant of how going beyond your natural tendencies in the service of others, and even exhibiting vulnerability by going beyond your comfort zone, can make you the kind of leader that your followers deserve.

What have you done today to spread happiness?