Sigmund Freud says "a person's name is the single context of human memory most apt to be forgotten." Feelings of embarrassment and social ineptitude are conveyed through this forgetfulness, and unfortunately, the problem persists daily. The ability to remember names is an important skill that gives you an advantage in social and business settings. However, the way you associate and remember names is based on your learning style and personality type.
The following list of ten effective ways to remember names combines visual, aural and strategic techniques. Once you find the best fit for you, it will become easier to avoid muttering the most awkward and impersonal sentence in the English language: "Hey you!"
Repetition, Repetition, Repetition
As soon as you hear their name, repeat it back to the person. "It's good to finally meet you, Karen-I hear you're the expert on mufflers."
If you don't do this, you will forget her name within ten seconds of meeting her. Also be sure to repeat the name aloud in the beginning, during and at the end of the conversation. This will allow you to widen various areas of your memory circuit.
"That's a great story Stephanie!" "Wow Tony, you obviously know your hockey." If you speak the name, hear the name, and listen to yourself say the name, you will remember it.
Inquiry
The number one rule in interpersonal communication is to show a genuine interest in the other person. So, ask your new colleague to explain the personal significance of their name. Ask if they go by a nickname. Inquire about the culture from which their name was derived. The spelling question is also effective. Even if Dave or Bob is only spelled one way you can always ask if they prefer "Dave," "David," "Bobby" or "Robert."
In so doing, you show them you care about them as a person. You also transform their name from an arbitrary fact into a meaningful representation of them. Ultimately, you will flatter them and make them feel appreciated.
Dramatize Faces
You probably remember faces better than you remember names. Great! This will only make it easier when you dramatize someone's face and associate facial feature with their name. For example, if their nose or hair is particularly memorable, make a connection using alliteration with their name. Brian has bright red hair. Lucy has a long nose.
The trick is to make your associations and dramatizations memorable and interesting. Remember, that which is exaggerated and ridiculous is memorable.
Forget About You
"Did I give him the 'cold fish' handshake?" "Did I even look into her eyes?" "Do you think she noticed the logo on my company briefcase?" If you try too hard to make a good first impression, odds are you will have no idea to whom you make a good first impression to!
So don't think about yourself! Forget about you! Concentrate on them. When you become too self-conscious and nervous during the moment of introduction, it will interfere with your memory.
Write Them Down
If you are a visual learner, write down the name of the person. This is a flawless method to remember. Most networking functions and meetings take place where tables, pens and paper are available.
Throughout the conversation, look down at the name in front of you, and then look at the person. Maria. Then look at the name again. Maria. Then look at the person again. Maria. You'll never forget.
The additional benefit when you do this, unbeknownst to you, is that at least one other person in your group will see you write the name down. Talk about a good first impression!
Inner Monologue
Imagine you've already used Samantha's name during the conversation. You seem to have it committed to memory. Then again, you don't want to overuse her name aurally. Even if a person's name is the sweetest sound they will ever hear, you don't want to make it too obvious that you use the repetition trick.
Fortunately, there are countless opportunities during the conversation to quickly say the name to yourself while you look at their face: while they get a pen, while they take a drink, while they get something out of their desk, while they laugh at your hilarious joke.
It only takes a few seconds to look at someone and silently think to yourself, "Samantha. Samantha. Samantha." Don't worry; you won't miss anything if you choose to do this at the appropriate times.
Introduce Someone Else
"Have you met my coworker Patty?" you ask the nameless person. "I don't believe I have," he says, "My name is Roger. It's nice to meet you Patty." Roger. That's his name! You thought it was Antonio! Thank God you introduced him to someone else or you would be floating up the eponymous creek.
Furthermore, if you introduce someone you just met to another person, it allows you to: take control of the conversation, show your willingness to encourage connections and expand someone else's network of colleagues.
Listen and Look for Name Freebies
More often than not, you won't be the only person who knows the name of your new colleague. This means that other people will say their name, and you will be reminded. No charge. All you have to do is pay attention.
Also remember to keep your eyes open for subtle, visual reminders such as business cards, receipts, nametags, jewelry, table tents and personal papers. Without getting too nosey, it will be easy to identify these "name freebies" that paint you out of your memory corners.
These ten effective techniques to remember names will be helpful to cross the chasm between you and a potential colleague or associate. When you identify and amplify someone's name, you won't suffer a loss of face. Ultimately, your interactions and conversations will become more personal and comfortable.
Practice. Practice. Practice. That's the hard part. But over time you will learn how these different techniques for name memory will work best for you.
Attitude. Attitude. Attitude. That's the easy part. However, while practice enhances your name memory over time, it only takes a few seconds to decide to change your attitude. Don't yourself that you can't remember names. In fact, from this moment on, you are no longer bad with names. Combine this new attitude with your recently acquired skills, and you'll never have to say "Hey you!" again.
© 2005 All Rights Reserved.
Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.
Successful networking requires the understanding from the get-go that it... Read More
The most successful organizations have good communication skills. Survey after... Read More
While surfing for traffic or browsing your safelist emails, you... Read More
Today's economy presents some very special challenges to people who... Read More
It's a classic mistake by networkers: their approach is focused... Read More
Can we agree about the meaning of networking? I don't... Read More
I bet you have not thought about it much, but... Read More
You only have three seconds?Connect in under a minute?People decide... Read More
Jean de la Bruyere said, "The great gift of conversation... Read More
A few years back when I moved to Charlotte, NC... Read More
Most people become lax at maintaining their professional business network... Read More
Here are 34 affirmations I have created after studying the... Read More
Recently I was interviewed for a book on networking. My... Read More
Quote of the week"The answer is always no...unless you ask."... Read More
Small businesses are really excluded from the global economySmall businesses... Read More
"What me? Sell myself? You have to be joking!"This was... Read More
Rather than being there to eat the food and drink... Read More
Many people associate alcohol with relaxation and fun, so it... Read More
When is it appropriate to volunteer to take a position... Read More
Research shows that talking to strangers -- not people in... Read More
Let's be real. With other pressures of life upon us,... Read More
Douglas Wilder, former Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and... Read More
There's a time and place to network with people in... Read More
The two most common complaints about networking are: 1) I... Read More
Good manners, good networking and good business all have the... Read More
I recently entered the keyword "networking" into Google. In 0.13... Read More
How can the introduction of new products affect the way... Read More
Networking: Is it who you know or what you know... Read More
The ability to connect with people is essential to success... Read More
Nametags are worn for a variety of jobs and functions,... Read More
How's your relationship?I'm not prying into your personal life, so... Read More
If you're in a business relationship with anyone ? a... Read More
People like others whom they are like. So if you... Read More
Are you in the relationship business? Of course you are.... Read More
It's a classic mistake by networkers: their approach is focused... Read More
Bigger Better Deal. That's what everyone always hopes will come... Read More
If you have been in business for any amount of... Read More
Networking is one of the most important skills a person... Read More
First of all I would like to start this article... Read More
"It's not what you know, it's who you know."This old... Read More
How do you measure a group's worth to your organization?It... Read More
As a Young Professional (YP) in the up-and-coming city of... Read More
As a single company, it is impossible to provide your... Read More
Do not destroy all your positive displacement and high energy... Read More
Here are 34 affirmations I have created after studying the... Read More
If you're new to the internet marketing club, you may... Read More
Jean de la Bruyere said, "The great gift of conversation... Read More
Most of us remember the commercial that said, "I told... Read More
Can we agree about the meaning of networking? I don't... Read More
Networking: Is it who you know or what you know... Read More
I hope the title of this article aroused your curiosity!... Read More
Why would you want to write information on paper when... Read More
Let's be real. With other pressures of life upon us,... Read More
Ever use someone else to get your message out?For example,... Read More
A day in the life of every businessperson is made... Read More
Recently I was interviewed for a book on networking. My... Read More
Why are people scared to ask for a referral? Is... Read More
Many workers think that their hard work will speak for... Read More
Have you ever noticed how visible large corporations are? Take... Read More
You can generate a ton of business by networking, whether... Read More
There are people who are natural born networkers - those... Read More
Do you enjoy one-on-one networking, however, the thought of walking... Read More
What is the definition of a leads exchange and how... Read More
For the self employed professional, nothing is more important than... Read More
Did you know that contacts are the bread of career... Read More
Networking ? it's the latest business trend. Or is it?Actually,... Read More
Networking |