[Image by Maicon Fonseca Zanco of Pixabay]
How often do you use an individual’s name? According to Dale Carnegie, the sweetest sound we hear is our name.
When I coach professionals to sound their best, I always say it’s best to use an individual’s name when conversing with them. The reasons are as follows:
- It customizes the interaction and makes it more personal.
- It gets their attention if their mind wanders or they’re distracted.
- It helps others retain interest in your message and recall it later on.
- It potentially makes you more likeable and adds a certain warmth to the interaction.
- Strive to use an individual’s name approximately three times (beginning, middle and end).
- Ensure you know the correct pronunciation of a person’s name so you don’t make an error.
- If the person has a title (e.g., Dr. or Officer) ask their preference in using that title.
- Avoid using an abbreviation for a name (e.g., Tom for Thomas) unless you know the individual or you know what they prefer.
- Try not to sound too casual or overly formal.
- All of these guidelines apply to written communication, in addition to verbal communication.
This morning I had a medical appointment with a new provider. Prior to seeing the physician, I was seen by at least 5 people, none of whom introduced themselves by name. In fact, when I finally saw the physician, she never introduced herself or made any small talk. The whole experience seemed very mechanical and factory-like to me. This could have been easily avoided by introduction or using a name tag.
Think about this the next time you interact whether in-person, on the phone, or in writing. You want to try and use an individual’s name when you’re presenting, networking, interviewing, or responding to questions. The extra effort is well worth it if you would like to interact with this person again and have a positive reaction when you do.
If I may assist you with this or other business communication concerns, please email [email protected], call 518-664-6004, or schedule an appointment.