“A person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most
important sound in any language.”                  

                                                                                                                                               -  Dale Carnegie

 

Remembering names is difficult for many of us to do. Few will say they are good are remembering names. Yet, this skill can give you amazing power in another’s mind. Calling someone by name shows you cared enough to remember their name; and your professional credibility is greatly enhanced by this one skill. So, instead of telling yourself you are not good at remembering names, start telling yourself you are good at remembering names; and use the tips below to help you acquire this all-important soft skill.

 

Following are tips for remembering names:

 

• Pay attention when people introduce themselves or are introduced to you. 

• Repeat the name as soon as you hear it. Example: “Hello, my name is Paul Smith.” If the person is younger or your age, you would respond, “Paul, so nice to meet you.” If the person is older or a VIP, you would respond, “Mr. Smith, it’s so nice to meet you.” Err on the side of good judgment by using someone’s last name until given permission to use someone’s first name.

• Ask the person to spell his or her name. “Is that Steven with a ‘v’ or Stephen with ‘ph?’  Then, you spell it. This will give you a visual hook.

• Associate and anchor. Look at the person’s face. Most of us can recall faces better than names. Associate the name with the face. Use a personal connection such as someone else you know with the same name. “That’s my middle name.”

• Try to incorporate the person’s name into every few sentences. Using a person’s name is a powerful tool in getting their attention when first meeting.

• Tell the person what you have heard about him or her. Acknowledge talents or specific contributions. “I understand that this Business Protocol Workshop was your idea.”

• Use memory techniques. A ringing bell, a spider web, or a kite-flying Franklin.

• Show enthusiasm. Let your tone of voice and body language indicate a degree of happiness that you have met this person. Smile and make eye contact as you extend your hand to them

• Focus more on the person and less on yourself. Finding out about the person will help you remember their names. Also, discussions of vacations, latest books read, sports, etc. are all connecting subjects.

• If someone doesn’t remember your name, come to the rescue immediately. Extend your hand, smile, and say your name.

• If you can’t remember someone’s name: Put him or her at ease, rather than focusing on your own embarrassment. Extend your hand, smile, and say your name. The other person will then say his or her name. Or, if that fails, apologize, and let the other person know you have forgotten his name. Rather than saying your do not remember his name, however, it is better to say you do not recall his name; and add what you do remember or recall about the last time you met him: “Oh yes. I really enjoyed hearing about…the last time we spoke; but if you will please forgive me, I cannot recall your name.”

• If you are in a conversation with someone and another person walks up, and you have suddenly forgotten the name of the person to whom you have been talking, don’t panic. Instead of declaring a memory lapse, say, “Have the two of you met? If they look at each other and say, “No, we have not,” and make no attempt to give them names, respond with, “Well, the two of you should meet. Please introduce yourselves.”

• You can help people remember your name by saying it slowly and clearly when you introduce yourself. If you leave a slight pause between your first and last name, it will not only slow you down, but also give your listener a better chance to hear your first and last name. In the professional business arena, we always give our last name, along with our first name.

 

 

                                    ♦ Personal Challenge ♦

 

The next time you attend an event where you do not know many of the attendees, give yourself a personal challenge of remembering the names of at least three new people you meet. With a little practice, you will find you will become better at this all-important soft skill, remembering names.

 

 

 

 

By: Patricia Napier-Fitzpatrick