SELF-IMPROVEMENT
These ten (10) strategies are more than just tools; they are my companions in connection.
In my work, networking is vital, and forgetting a name isn’t just embarrassing – it feels like a professional blunder.
I’ve had countless moments where a person whose face is familiar but whose name dances just beyond reach greets me with a warm, “Hello, it’s great to see you again!”
Meanwhile, my mind races in panic.
In these moments, amidst the smiles and handshakes, I’ve found myself asking for business cards under the guise of needing their details, or worse, sheepishly admitting I’ve forgotten their name.
These interactions often leave me ruminating over the incident, feeling frustration and embarrassment.
“How could I not remember? They remembered mine,” I’d chastise myself.
In business networking, where knowing names is as crucial as exchanging ideas, my inability to recall names made me feel unprofessional and, frankly, a bit rude.
Determined to overcome this challenge, I embarked on a mission to master remembering names.
I needed a system, a technique – anything that could spare me from future embarrassments.
Here’s a glimpse into the ten key strategies to remember names effectively.
1 – Repeat the Name
“Nice to meet you, Siti Sarah.” I’d say it out loud, anchoring Siti Sarah’s name in the air between us.
“So, Siti Sarah, how long have you been in marketing?” Continuing to use her name in conversation, I reinforced the connection, hoping it would stick.
It felt forced at first, but repetition was my first defense against forgetting.
2 – Associate with a Visual Image
When I met Abu, whose name didn’t trigger any immediate associations, I pictured him like “ashes” (in Malay, it is called “Abu”) after burning a bonfire.
It was a simple image, yet vivid enough to be memorable.
Each subsequent encounter with Abu reinforced this mental image, effectively linking his name to something familiar.
3 – Make a Connection
Meeting Maya, a veterinarian, gave me a perfect keyword: Maya, the vet.
This connection wasn’t just about her profession; it was a way to link her identity to something meaningful and specific.
“Maya the vet” wasn’t just a mnemonic – it was a story I remembered when sending my cat to the vet.
4 – Use Mnemonics
Mnemonics were trickier.
Meeting someone named Malek, I rhymed it with “lake” and imagined him rowing on a serene lake.
These creative associations sometimes felt silly, but the sillier they were, the better they stuck.
5 – Write It Down
After each event, I’d jot down names and details on my phone. “Met Safuan – plump, glasses, likes innovation” would be a typical note.
Writing helped me remember and provided a reference for future interactions.
6 – Ask for the Spelling
This tactic was beneficial with unique names. “Is that Rahim with an R-A-H-I-M?” I’d inquire.
Often, spelling it out transformed the name from an abstract sound to a concrete series of letters in my mind.
7 – Make a Connection with Someone You Know
Connecting new names to familiar ones was unexpectedly powerful.
Meeting a new Azman instantly brought to mind my childhood friend Azman.
This linkage provided a bridge from the new to the familiar, embedding the new Azman in a network of existing memories.
8 — Focus and Be Present
I learned to quiet the inner monologue during introductions.
Instead of planning my following sentence, I focused intently on the person before me.
This mindfulness, this entire presence, was perhaps the most challenging yet rewarding change I implemented.
9 — Use Their Name in Conversation
Using the person’s name in our conversation was like reinforcing a learning loop.
“What do you think about that, Zura?” I’d ask. Each repetition was a gentle hammer tap, embedding her name deeper in my memory.
10 — Visualize the Name Written Out
Visualizing names as if they were written on a name tag across the person’s chest helped differently.
I’d imagine the letters, the font, even the color.
This helped with spelling and visual memory, which was often stronger than auditory memory for me.
Through trial and error, I crafted a multifaceted approach to remembering names.
Each strategy had its place, and together, they formed a robust defense against my previous forgetfulness.
More importantly, these techniques showed me that remembering someone’s name wasn’t just a memory trick; it was a sign of respect, a way to honor the person and their identity.
As I continue to meet new people, these strategies are more than just tools; they are my companions in the art of connection, making each handshake and smile a step toward a genuinely memorable interaction.
What are your tips for remembering a person’s name? Kindly share in the comments section.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 