Sunday Reflections: The Power of a Name and Recognition

"A person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language"- Dale Carnegie

Have you ever experienced the wonderful feeling of being addressed by your name in an unexpected place? Especially those of you who have a unique name. All of my life, my name has been sliced and diced every which way. Raquel, Rachel, Nadia, you name it. It’s a small gesture, but it can make a huge impact. As a #DaleCarnegie Trainer, I've made it my mission to embrace this principle, especially when dining out, running errands or interacting with service staff. Since I am such a foodie, doing this in restaurants is my all-time favorite way to put this into practice! Whenever I visit a restaurant, I go out of my way to remember and use the server’s name. The result? A deeper connection, learning about another person, the area, the food, and most importantly, the person feels seen and valued. Last night, I was at one of my favorite restaurants in Princeton, NJ. I immediately walked in and greeted the gentleman who was the manager with an eager, "Hi Michael!" I remember how special he made my father's birthday celebration when we went out to dinner. I remember we were treated with care, kindness, and importance as we celebrated my father's 82nd birthday. Do I have a great memory? Absolutely not. I used what we teach and made a point to remember to ASK their name. Many service staff no longer have name tags. Take the extra few seconds and ask.

It’s remarkable how often people don’t remember my name in return—and that’s perfectly fine! What matters is that I’ve shown them respect and recognition. They mattered. They provided some sense of an exceptional experience at some point and I made it a point to remember them, not just the experience. When someone feels appreciated, especially after delivering great service, they know they’ve made a lasting impression. It doesn't just make the recipient feel good, but I always feel great in return, and I might have provided just a little bit of kindness and gratitude in their day!

Too often, we rush to criticize or leave negative reviews when things go wrong, but we don’t give enough recognition when they go right. I’ve committed to changing that—every time I receive exceptional service, I ask for the manager's card or the employee’s name to send an email or leave a positive review. It doesn’t take much effort to show appreciation, but it makes a difference for those who receive it. Mark Brodinsky and I discussed that in our Podcast Interview through his incredible #YOUMATTER movement!

Consider the peers you work with, those you meet in meetings, or even those you've met before but whose names you've forgotten. Take a moment to show that they matter by simply asking, "I'm sorry, what is your name again?" Often, we get caught up in the embarrassment of forgetting, but it’s more important to make people feel valued. Also, ensure you spell and pronounce their name correctly. When someone has a name that is challenging to pronounce, they may offer a simpler version to avoid awkwardness. However, taking the time to learn and pronounce their real name correctly demonstrates respect and recognition, leaving a lasting, positive impression. (PROTIP: If you have a name that is challenging to pronounce, consider leaving a pronunciation guide on your LinkedIn profile as I have).

Imagine if we all habitually recognized others for their hard work—especially those who often go unnoticed. Let’s start this week by practicing recognition and making others feel important. It's a small gesture that can ripple out in powerful ways.

Let’s make gratitude contagious. How will you recognize someone today? #rememberingnames #recognition #relationships