Today’s Tip: “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language”

Dale Carnegie was a smart man; he lived his life in terms of other people. He laughed, he cried, and he cared about them. One way Mr. Carnegie often showed his respect by using names instead of the often-overused “Hey!”

“Using a person’s name is crucial, especially when meeting those we don’t see very often. Respect and acceptance stem from simple acts such as remembering a person’s name and using it whenever appropriate.”

That’s why Carnegie came up with an easy strategy for remembering names. The LIRA formula.

1.      Look and Listen

a)      Try as hard as you can to focus on the person speaking, and make sure you understand very clearly, what their name is.

2.      Impression

b)      Create an impression in your head of what the person looks like. This includes physical features or the surroundings /situation in the moment.

3.      Repetition

c)      Repeat the person’s name as many times as possible in conversation. Use it when it is appropriate. Use it when you are saying goodbye to that person. Afterward, repeat it in your head as much as possible.

4.      Association

d)     Make associations of physical characteristics, names of landmarks, objects, buildings, companies, etc. Use color nouns and similar words to help you remember the name. We as humans remember things better in pictures.

After using this, remembering names becomes that much easier. Use names with everyone you interact with, practice this and make it a habit.

We once had a student in one of our classes who introduced herself to the CEO of her company. Most of the other employees were afraid to approach him, let alone make eye contact with him. After she introduced herself and said hello. The CEO remembers her name.

This formula can be helpful if you apply it and you’ll never know what kind of good fortune it can bring you unless you try.