Confession: I think Mackenzie and Lauren are the same person or at least the wrong person. I try so hard to get the names of two of my new editors straight, but I doubt myself and end up avoiding saying a name at all. I know they’re not the same girl. I just have a difficult time remembering which name belongs to whom. I hate this because I know how annoyed I get when people can’t remember my name or pronounce it wrong. This annoyance is common.
“Remember that person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language,” Dale Carnegie.
Carnegie’s correct. It’s important to remember people’s names and address them properly. Here are some helpful tips I found for remembering names:
Focus on the introduction
When you meet someone, focus completely on the introduction and his or her name, not on the situation or yourself. Many times we don’t remember names because we’re just not listening when we’re introduced.
Repeat the name back
This is the most common piece of advice on remembering names. Saying the name helps you lock it into your memory. Try doing this by complimenting a person’s name, asking how they spell it, making an association, or just saying “It’s nice to meet you, Mackenzie.”
Use the name
Use the name of the person with whom you’re conversing throughout the conversation. For example, “That’s a really great idea for the lifestyles section, Lauren. I’m glad you came up with it.”
Make an association
Creating an association between the person’s name and the person will help you remember how to address him or her. For example, in attempting to help separate Mackenzie and Lauren, I learned that Mackenzie has a small mole above her lip. By making this association, it’s easier for me to identify which woman I’m addressing. Unless, of course, they have their backs to me and are looking at their computers. They both have curly brown hair! Then your guess is as good as mine.
If all else fails, it’s better to ask a person their name than to address them incorrectly. Because, to them, their name is super important.
I hope these tips help. I’m off to talk to Mackenzie… or Lauren… or maybe both.
Let’s Talk Nerdy!
How do you remember people’s names?
mhmiller says
profkrg It’s the quickest way to freak someone out in the South. See them once, remember their name six months later and it freaks them out
Natalie 'Altadonna' Smith says
It happens to the best of us! It’s tough when you have so many students and/or your students don’t speak up about their name being pronounced wrong!
Kristy Pierce Clarkson says
Oh, I am really good about calling students the wrong name…..
Prof KRG says
I’m glad I’m not alone.
LMTReporter says
profkrg Hey Ayo_Paola0817 check this out 🙂