Isn’t it frustrating? You have just been introduced to someone, they have told you their name and it goes in but doesn’t stick.
Then comes that embarrassing moment when you have to ask the person to repeat their name. Wouldn’t it have been better if you knew the person’s name, could remember it with ease and use it again in the future?
Here are three tips you can use to help you remember names and faces:
First, Prepare. Then, Pay Attention. Finally, Practice
Prepare a strategy for who you are going to meet. Decide to give them full eye contact, and concentrate on them fully, with no distractions. Decide that this person is really important, and that their name is the most personal thing they own.
By Paying Attention, you take in the first impression the person makes and hear and focus on their name. When you meet someone:
a) Take your time rushing will only increase stress.
b) Hear the person’s name and repeat it back to them. It will go something like this: “Oh, hi, I’m Pete, and you are?” “Hallo, David, nice to meet you. So where are you from, David?” Allow the conversation to continue, and use their name once or twice more. When you depart, ask them for their business card, and their LinkedIn account details, so you can keep in touch.
Then, Practice. After you have met them, notice their style of communication, their dress sense, their mannerisms and anything else that stands out. Create a link between what you see and then say their name to yourself. Repeat their name in your mind a few times. Practice this linking pattern so your brain has a chance to associate the name with your visual memory.
By preparing well, paying attention and then practicing what you have picked up, you have great opportunities to improve your memory and start remembering those names and faces. And that will help you in your overall communication skills
