Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering. – Theodore Roosevelt
I read a story of a local sportscaster doing radio coverage of an Indiana high school football game from the stands, who used a chart listing the names, numbers, and positions of the players to help him describe the action.
Then it began to rain, and the ink on the chart ran, and the numbers on the backs of the players were covered with mud. Identifying the home team was easy, but the only familiar name on the lineup of the visiting Chicago team was that of Blansky, a linebacker who was up for All-State.
As local listeners were unfamiliar with the Chicago players, and his station’s signal wasn’t strong enough to reach Chicago, the sportscaster invented the names of the Chicago players, except for Blansky. And since he was the only legitimate name, he played by play with Blansky, making most of the tackles.
The next day, the Chicago coach called him to say he had done a really nice job covering the game – except for one thing. Blansky had broken his leg in the first half and spent the second half in the hospital, listening to himself playing one heck of a game.
Dale Carnegie stated, “A person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language”. Nothing could be truer.
A few years back, I was on a tour at Harvard University. I learned that before new students moved into the dorms, the resident assistants were required to study the information packets about them and memorize their names and faces, so when a new student walked in, they would be able to greet them by name.
Over the years, I haven’t always been good with names, but I do make a conscious effort to learn and remember names. As a leader, I recognize that this is an important area that requires my attention and improvement. Since it hasn’t always been my strong suit, I find ways to associate names with the individuals I meet in order to remember it.
In your leadership, nothing means more to your people than the mention of their name. Here are a couple of reasons why it matters.
It demonstrates value
If a person’s name spoken is truly the sweetest and most important sound to another person, then why now honor them by greeting them by name? I also try to make it a practice not just to greet them by name, but to do so by saying “There you are!” with a degree of enthusiasm that lets them know that I am genuinely delighted to see them.
The most valuable possession another person has is their name. When you treat it as such, you are perhaps honoring a family name with a story you need to get to know. You are honoring the memory of a loved one or family heritage. So much lies beneath the surface of a name. Be intentional about using a person’s name. It matters more than you realize. Click To Tweet
It breaks down barriers
In my business, I make it a practice to know and remember the names of everyone I come in contact with. As the owner and administrator of a microschool with 70 students and staff, I begin my day by working the car line each morning and greeting each student. I learn their names, give high-fives, pats on the back, and make each student feel special. Each staff member, of course, is greeted by name, and I insist they address me by my name without the formalities.
I have discovered that this breaks down barriers and makes everyone around me know that I am approachable. When I am approachable, it breaks down barriers to good communication. Try it.
Whose name are you dropping today?
©2025 Doug Dickerson
