Knowing (and correctly pronouncing) someone’s name is a very powerful thing.

“It’s Stephen. Not Steph-on. Stephen. No, not Steven, Stephen.”

It takes a little bit of effort to remember and pronounce a person’s name every now and then.

Work hard to get it right. Maybe write it down, say it to yourself in your head a few times, repeat it in conversation with the person when you first meet.

If we ignore the problem (Like Nike did in this story) or we don’t fix the knowing of name, our brand loses, our cause suffers, our customer is invalidated and relationships end or sour.

That effort will be worth it in the short and long term. People need to know that they are valuable enough to be remembered and known correctly. 

Though Nike clearly doesn’t need more money, this faux pas likely cost them tens of millions of dollars.

What will it cost us if we don’t take the time to remember someone’s name? To show that we are present enough to get this important detail right?

Many of us have had the experience of: “I’ve met that person at least 5 times and they act like it is the first time, every time.”

We are overlooked, unnoticed, passed by.

When we meet someone who we admire and they remember our name, we feel:

Noticed.

Valued.

Known.

Included.

Named. 

The power of name is incredibly valuable. Is shows that we are present, that we care.

When we do not remember someone’s name, we must own it. Apologize and work hard to remember it the next time.

Let’s work hard to actually know people, their names and their stories this week.

Kevin