The Name Game

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ET I Q U E T T E T I PS POLISHED PEYTON

by Jennifer Daniel

The Name Game

With the busiest time of year fast approaching, here are some tips to remember names (or save yourself when you forget) at office gatherings, community celebrations, and family dinners with new faces.

Listen.

Be sure to listen carefully when introductions are made and make eye contact with your new acquaintance.

Repeat the Name Immediately.

Say the name and try to make a connection based on the introduction. For example, “John, it is nice to meet you. I was in Dallas last month for my daughter’s college orientation.”

Tell them Goodbye.

Speaking to someone as you leave and calling them by name is a great way to remember their name the next time you see them. You are making a picture in your head whether you realize it or not.

Use the Conversational Clue.

My mentor, Dorthea Johnson, spoke of this trick often. Especially in business gatherings, adding a conversational “clue” plants a seed and will help in remembering names. For example, “Sara Whitten, I’d like to introduce to you Robert Maxwell from the Marketing Department. Robert, Sara is the Director of Human Resources. Like you, she grew up in Boston.”

Re-Introduce Yourself.

If there are people you should know but whose names you have forgotten, introduce yourself (very humbly) to them just as you walk in. Say something like, “It’s so great to see you! I’m Jennifer Daniel with North University.” They should respond by introducing themselves to you. You should never expect someone to remember your name. Reintroducing yourself is something you should be very comfortable doing.

Jennifer Daniel is a graduate of The Protocol School of Washington and she may be reached at Jennifer@polishedpeyton.com or visit her website at polishedpeyton.com.