What is Your Name Again?

You're at a Toastmasters meeting, engaged in a discussion with a prospective member, when you suddenly panic "What is this person's name"?

Nearly everyone enjoys the sound of their name, which is why remembering names is such a powerful tool for establishing important relationships. Try these tips for remembering the name you were just told 30 seconds ago!

Give your full attention to the introduction. Don't get caught shaking the hand of a new acquaintance while keeping one eye on the waiter walking away with the last of the hors d'oeuvres! Make the person feel important by making the introduction important to you.

Listen Carefully and repeat the name immediately. Verbal repetition helps reinforce a new name in your memory and gives you the valuable opportunity to rehearse or double-check difficult pronunciations.

Think of someone with the same name. A favourite relative, your best friend or a high school sweetheart could come in handy if they share the name of a new acquaintance.

Form an immediate association with the name and the person's outstanding feature or trait. Whether it's flattering or not, the first association you make with a person is the best tool you can use for remembering the person's name. Hair colour, tone of voice, style of clothing or even height can all be effective associations.

Use the name frequently during your conversation to test your memory and establish closer ties with an individual. "I couldn't agree with you more, Joe" or "You know, Sue, I heard a funny story about that", are both examples of individualized conversation that sounds friendly, but isn't forced.

If you forget the name or didn't hear it the first time, don't fake it... ASK! Most people would prefer to repeat their name rather than correct a wrong guess. Politely asking for a reminder may be awkward, but it will be appreciated. If the name is particularly difficult to retain or pronounce, ask for a spelling.

Don't make excuses. No one wants to hear "I'm terrible with names" or "I meet so many people in a day". Excuses like these can make the most important person feel insignificant in your eyes. Full attention during new introductions is the key to keeping names from slipping your mind. Take the time to fully focus on anyone you're about to meet. The time to recognize an important contact is before you forget the name, not afterwards!

Excerpt from the article "What Is Your Name Again?" by Marilyn S. Nyman, published in the Toastmaster August1996