The name game
2 min read
Working as consultant across varying bids for multiple companies gives me the opportunity to meet and work with lots of new people. It is one of my favourite parts of my role, getting to engage with a range of new personalities. It also highlights one of my biggest flaws.
I am terrible at remembering names!
This is something I am consciously working to improve, but I am still guilty of avoiding referencing a name with a generic ‘Hey there’ if I am drawing a name blank.
Remembering and getting names right is so important, nothing can offend someone faster than having a faux par over their name. It can make you look arrogant, or even down-right rude, which is the last thing you are intending. It is also really embarrassing for you and them. I know for me the cringe factor is high.
Some tricks I use to help me with remembering names when working on tenders are:
Repeating: Say their name in conversation three times after you have been introduced. Nice to meet you Joe. What role do you have at this company Joe? What role are you fulfilling on this bid Joe?
Reading: In a bid kick-off meeting or strategy workshop where there are multiple attendees, give everyone name tags to wear
Spelling: Ask someone to spell their name for you if you are unsure of pronunciation or you think you have mis-heard them. This is great if you think they said Ted, but it’s spelt N-E-D
Associating: Correlate their name with something that will help you remember: Peter, like my brother; Elizabeth, like Pride and Prejudice; Paul, same as my accountant, and
Caring: Sometimes the reason we can’t remember a name is because we are distracted, partaking in multiple conversations at once or multitasking on our phones, so we aren’t focused on hearing/learning their name. Make the conscious effort to care and to listen.
Using someone’s name, correctly, can make others feel valued and important, it also raises engagement as people tend to listen more actively when you address them directly.
If someone gets your name wrong, try and be gracious and understanding, we all make this mistake at some point (I am a repeat offender). Always have the courage to kindly correct them. There is nothing more awkward than someone getting your name wrong, then repeating it incorrectly multiple times because you are too embarrassed to correct them and you fear their embarrassment too. And so, you are forced to assume an alternate identity for the duration of the conversation. My alter ego is Ann.
I usually introduce myself as Sam, but I promise I won’t get to offended if you think I’m Ann. I will definitely throw out a “Sam I am, green eggs and ham’ reference though.