Kevin Guest Urges Leaders to Use Smiles as Daily Leadership Tool During National Show Your Smile Month

All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, by USANA CEO and chairman Kevin Guest.

During May's National Show Your Smile Month, Kevin Guest, Chairman and CEO of USANA Health Sciences, is calling on leaders to use one of the most overlooked tools in business and life: a genuine smile.

"Smiling isn't surface-level," said Guest. "It's a signal. It tells people they matter. It tells your brain you're okay. And it shifts the tone of every room you walk into."

Measurable Impact Behind the Action

Guest points to the measurable impact behind that simple act. Research and real-world experience both support specific outcomes. A smile reduces stress and sharpens decision-making. It builds trust and strengthens connection. It improves mood and emotional resilience. It spreads quickly across teams and environments. And it increases approachability and open communication.

"I've found that a smile lowers stress fast, builds trust, and changes how people respond to you," Guest said. "You don't need a title to influence a room. You need presence."

The positioning frames smiling not as a pleasantry but as a functional leadership tool with operational and cultural impact. The approach differs from typical corporate wellness messaging by connecting the action directly to business outcomes rather than only personal wellbeing.

"People feel a smile's effect immediately," Guest said. "And once that tone is set, everything else moves easier."

Foundation in "All the Right Reasons"

Guest reinforces these ideas through lessons from his bestselling book, "All the Right Reasons, 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony," where he outlines how small actions shape lasting influence. The book explores leadership principles drawn from his personal and professional experience.

"In your careers, your path will cross with many people," Guest writes. "They all matter and deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile, say hello, and learn their names."

He points to a defining moment behind that belief. A college professor gave a final exam with one unexpected question: What is the name of the woman who cleans this building? Most students didn't know.

"Few things are more important to people than being called by their first name," Guest said. "That lesson never left me. It changed how I see every interaction."

Personal Influence and Early Lessons

He traces that mindset back even further to his father's example. "My dad always focused on how he could give instead of what he could get," Guest writes, describing years of serving neighbors, friends, and anyone in need. "That is leadership, and it shows up in small moments, not just with big decisions."

The narrative connects childhood observation to current executive practice, positioning leadership development as long-term formation rather than acquired skill set. The approach emphasizes character development alongside strategic capability.

Core Leadership Principle

At the center of his message is a principle that drives both leadership and personal fulfillment. "Nothing is more important than relationships," Guest said, tying that directly to execution. "When your reasons are clear and your 'why' is strong, your actions follow."

The statement reflects a broader business philosophy where relational capital and purpose clarity function as foundational rather than supplementary to organizational success. The framing positions these elements as strategic advantages rather than cultural preferences.

Daily Practice Recommendations

Throughout May, Guest encourages everyone to treat smiling as a daily discipline. Start your day with it. Use it under pressure. Direct it toward someone who needs it.

The recommendations frame smiling as intentional practice rather than automatic response, positioning it as a skill that can be developed through consistent application. The approach treats interpersonal effectiveness as learnable behavior accessible to anyone regardless of natural disposition.

"People remember how you made them feel," Guest said. "And a smile is one of the fastest ways to make that impact. It costs nothing, but it can change everything."

Charitable Component

All proceeds from sales of "All the Right Reasons" benefit the USANA Foundation. Each book purchase provides 40 meals to feed hungry children. The nonprofit has provided more than 112 million meals to date and has a goal of feeding 20,000 families by December 31, 2026.

The integration of book sales with charitable outcomes creates a direct connection between Guest's leadership messaging and measurable social impact. The model positions leadership development and community support as complementary rather than separate initiatives.

About Kevin Guest

Kevin Guest is Chairman and CEO of USANA Health Sciences, a billion-dollar global nutritional company based in Salt Lake City. He is also a musician, author, and humanitarian. His book "All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony" shares lessons on leadership, integrity, and purpose drawn from his life and career.

About USANA Health Sciences

USANA Health Sciences operates as a global leader in health and wellness products. From its 1992 founding, USANA has focused on clear and concise communication to build trust with its customers and brand partners in 25 countries. For more information about USANA Health Sciences and its dedication to promoting health, wellness, and entrepreneurial success, visit USANA.com. USANA trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol USNA.

Additional information about Kevin Guest and his leadership principles is available at www.kevinguest.com.

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