"Calling Someone by Their Name is the Biggest Complement"

I once heard this piece of advice in a podcast and it stuck with me. And it makes sense for the following reasons:

• Validation & Acknowledgment– Using someone’s name makes them feel seen and valued. It acknowledges their individuality. It makes them more likely to find you likeable.
• Personal Connection– It fosters familiarity and warmth, showing that you care enough to remember and address them personally. I think that showcasing that you care enough to remember their names, especially in a setting with many people (networking event) makes the person more comfortable with you.

I have always struggled with remembering names in networking events, where I met people one-one-one or in networking circles - but since hearing the above quote, I had to find a way to implement it. The “what’s your name again?” used to be a frequent question I asked, but it doesn’t have to be the case for you. Here are three practical tips that helped me:

• When they first introduce their name, repeat their name before introducing yours. Eg “Nice to meet you Marco, I am Sofia”. Repetition improves memory encoding.
• Try to mention their name as much as possible throughout the conversation, again because repetition improves encoding and repeating their name fosters familiarity.
• Worse Case scenario: Grab their LinkedIn and make sure you check their name before you re-engage in conversation with them.

I hope those tips help you out when you’re trying to connect and get familiar with people you meet anywhere, not just networking events. Remember, caring to remember individuals’ names can be one thing that makes you standout, because it reflects your interest in genuine connections.