Buzz
'Most people struggle with remembering names,' says Joshua Foer, the author of *Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything*. Mastering the art of remembering names involves dedicating a bit of focus and time. Richard Jackson Harris, professor of psychological sciences at Kansas State University, adds, 'The short explanation is that [forgetting names] is more of an excuse.' However, he acknowledges that 'remembering names' can be challenging.
In both social and professional environments, casually mentioning someone’s name can have a positive impact. 'People feel valued when you address them by name,' Harris explains. 'It signals, 'Oh, this person has taken a genuine interest in me.'' In the workplace, this is particularly advantageous. 'A new employee who learns everyone’s name quickly leaves a lasting impression and demonstrates their commitment to being a valuable team member.'
How can you improve your ability to associate names with faces? Here are some simple yet effective methods to master the skill.
Be mindful.
The first step to remembering someone’s name is to give them your full attention when you’re introduced. What often happens in social settings, like parties, is that people aren’t truly focused on the introduction, and as a result, they miss the name, says Harris. 'The primary reason we forget names is that we don’t put enough effort into committing it to memory when we first hear it,' explains Foer. 'We’re too busy thinking of something witty to say, so the name isn’t properly encoded.' Focus on connecting the name to the face right away.
Find something unique.
Look for a distinctive trait that links someone’s name with their face. Maybe they’re tall or have bright red hair. Any feature that makes them stand out can help you remember them, as Harris suggests.
Create an image in your mind.
Foer suggests that one of the most powerful techniques for remembering names is to create a visual representation. For instance, if you meet a person named 'Bill' with a prominent nose, you might imagine his nose as a duck’s bill. 'This method forces you to dedicate a bit of mental energy to forming that connection,' he explains. 'It’s the effort that makes the memory stick.'
Say the name out loud.
Foer highlights one of the most time-tested strategies: repeating the person's name during conversation right after the introduction. 'If you don’t say it again, you’re unlikely to retain it in the long term,' he notes.
Dedicate time for practice.
Learning names and faces requires time, says Harris. At the beginning of each semester, he reviews a list of his students and carefully goes through their names until he feels they are firmly lodged in his memory. He advises new employees to adopt the same method on the job.
Don’t hesitate to ask.
Sometimes, you might miss someone's name because of background noise during the introduction or because their name is unique. People often hesitate to ask for clarification or for help with pronunciation. 'In my experience, most people would prefer you ask them to repeat their name or correct your pronunciation rather than just let it slide,' says Harris. Even someone like Foer, a memory champion, admits that he forgets things occasionally.
