The "Crocodile Smile"

As I review the chapters for next week's book circle on Defy by Dr. Sunita Sah, I am reflecting on what she calls, "The Crocodile Smile."

It's the smile that many of us display in moments of tension -- when we want to say or do something, but we don't know what or how.

The risks feel too great.

The crocodile smile has become a survival strategy for many of us.

❌When our colleague makes, yet another, inappropriate comment.
❌When we are passed over for that initiative at work.
❌ When we are invited to the table, but not allowed to speak.
❌ When we're told to smile more.
❌ When our idea is ignored, except when our colleague repeats it.
❌ When asked if and when we plan to have children.
❌ When the client shakes our male colleague's hand, thinking he's the one in charge.

Dr. Sah, refers to these moments as "conscious compliance" -- we don't really agree with what's going on, but we choose to comply due to the risks -- either economical, physical, or emotional.

Rather than beat ourselves up for not acting in these moments, Dr. Sah invites us to sit with the tension because it's part of the process of eventual defiance.

👉 Can you think of other moments of "conscious compliance" that you've encountered at work?

Originally posted on LinkedIn with comments.

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