A Person’s Name are the most important words
When I answer a phone call or get letters that start with “Donald” I immediately know that this is not a person that I know. To my friends and clients, I have been “Don” for more than 40 years.
In “How To Win Friends And Influence People”, Dale Carnegie says: “Remember that a person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”
Same goes for mispronunciations and misspellings. If you want to get ahead in life and business -- then being respectful of others is essential -- making this a lesson worth learning. Especially since our Amway business is all about people.
Excuses are Never a Solution
The common response is” But I’m just terrible with names.” Or, “I have a horrible memory -- I hear a name and forget it seconds later.”
Really? Where in life does a genetic handicap entitle you to bungle a critical point and still enable you to be successful? Just like everything else, you can learn – IF YOU WANT TO LEARN.
It is amazing how people will learn what is important to them – video game techniques, new moves for a game, a new baby, advertisements for something they want, but the name of a new acquaintances, customers, prospects, restaurant servers, or neighbors just eludes them.
Carnegie tells this story in his book: Benton Love, chairman of Texas Commerce Bancshares said, “The executive who tells me he can’t remember names is… operating on quicksand.” Amen.
The late Sam Walton was known for remembering names of Walmart store workers whom he met once and didn’t see again for over a year. His employees revered him for this. Is it any wonder?
ACTIONS FOR YOU
Get serious. The human brain is the world’s most sophisticated computer with memory capacity so infinite, you’ll never use it all. There’s lots you can do. Here are a few suggestions…
When introduced, pay attention. Repeat the person’s name. If there’s a nametag, read it. Be curious and ask about an unconventional spelling or the derivation of an unusual name. People don’t get upset -- they love telling these stories.
Ask what they like to be called: Elizabeth, Liz, Beth? On many occasions people thank me profusely for this, adding that no one ever asks, they just assume, and usually assume wrong.
Quickly introduce the person to someone else and tell something about them that you just learned.
Keep files of names, biographies, photos -- with proper spelling and preferred nicknames. Review the files before gathering with friends or clients.
Write down preferred nicknames for later reference.
Invest in a memory skills course or buy a book or audio learning program… they’re everywhere.
Anyone can do this. Anyone. Including you.
It will increase people’s desire to be around you and part of what you are doing.
When I answer a phone call or get letters that start with “Donald” I immediately know that this is not a person that I know. To my friends and clients, I have been “Don” for more than 40 years.
In “How To Win Friends And Influence People”, Dale Carnegie says: “Remember that a person’s name is, to that person, the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”
Same goes for mispronunciations and misspellings. If you want to get ahead in life and business -- then being respectful of others is essential -- making this a lesson worth learning. Especially since our Amway business is all about people.
Excuses are Never a Solution
The common response is” But I’m just terrible with names.” Or, “I have a horrible memory -- I hear a name and forget it seconds later.”
Really? Where in life does a genetic handicap entitle you to bungle a critical point and still enable you to be successful? Just like everything else, you can learn – IF YOU WANT TO LEARN.
It is amazing how people will learn what is important to them – video game techniques, new moves for a game, a new baby, advertisements for something they want, but the name of a new acquaintances, customers, prospects, restaurant servers, or neighbors just eludes them.
Carnegie tells this story in his book: Benton Love, chairman of Texas Commerce Bancshares said, “The executive who tells me he can’t remember names is… operating on quicksand.” Amen.
The late Sam Walton was known for remembering names of Walmart store workers whom he met once and didn’t see again for over a year. His employees revered him for this. Is it any wonder?
ACTIONS FOR YOU
Get serious. The human brain is the world’s most sophisticated computer with memory capacity so infinite, you’ll never use it all. There’s lots you can do. Here are a few suggestions…
When introduced, pay attention. Repeat the person’s name. If there’s a nametag, read it. Be curious and ask about an unconventional spelling or the derivation of an unusual name. People don’t get upset -- they love telling these stories.
Ask what they like to be called: Elizabeth, Liz, Beth? On many occasions people thank me profusely for this, adding that no one ever asks, they just assume, and usually assume wrong.
Quickly introduce the person to someone else and tell something about them that you just learned.
Keep files of names, biographies, photos -- with proper spelling and preferred nicknames. Review the files before gathering with friends or clients.
Write down preferred nicknames for later reference.
Invest in a memory skills course or buy a book or audio learning program… they’re everywhere.
Anyone can do this. Anyone. Including you.
It will increase people’s desire to be around you and part of what you are doing.