NOTE: We are pleased to have Vikki Walton sharing her thoughts about how to be a Generous Mind by learning people's names and paying attention to details. After all, how can you share your ideas with someone if you can't even get their name right!
It’s happened to me. Maybe it’s happened to you as well. You contact someone through email or they message you, and they respond with your name spelled incorrectly. For those of us with various ways that our name can be spelled we simply accept this on most occasions. However, when your name is written there in full view or the person has been corresponding with you for some time and still spells your name incorrectly, then it begins to become frustrating.
It’s happened to me. Maybe it’s happened to you as well. You contact someone through email or they message you, and they respond with your name spelled incorrectly. For those of us with various ways that our name can be spelled we simply accept this on most occasions. However, when your name is written there in full view or the person has been corresponding with you for some time and still spells your name incorrectly, then it begins to become frustrating.
The statement has been made that the sweetest word is the
sound of a person’s own name. In these days of visual dialogue, the incorrect
spelling of a name is often no different than calling Jane . . . Sue. So why
should this matter? Because it reveals a lot about the individual. Are they
detailed? Do they take the time to ensure that they are correct in their
response? Do they care about others?
Certainly if someone doesn’t spell a name correctly, it doesn’t automatically make that person someone who lacks empathy or is disrespectful of others. However, in my profession as a nonprofit consultant I work with many individuals who interact with those who may become donors to their organization. If these groups expect—or want—others to be generous, they must return the favor by showing respect to that person by addressing them correctly.
Certainly if someone doesn’t spell a name correctly, it doesn’t automatically make that person someone who lacks empathy or is disrespectful of others. However, in my profession as a nonprofit consultant I work with many individuals who interact with those who may become donors to their organization. If these groups expect—or want—others to be generous, they must return the favor by showing respect to that person by addressing them correctly.
So how can you show your generosity to others?
1. When you meet someone and they state their name,
ask them, “Is it spelled this way” or “How do you spell your name?” For most
people, that not only shows your interest in them but that you respect them.
2. If you goof and spell someone’s name incorrectly
through digital correspondence, quickly respond back to them with an apology.
Most people will simply think it is inconsequential and forget about it.
However, those who have taken the time to come back and apologize for their
error have risen a notch in my estimation of them.
3. Use the person’s name when you speak or
correspond with them. Not only will this help you to remember them, but it
builds a greater connection. For example: “Hi. Jon. Nice to meet you. Do you
spell your name with an h?” Then as you leave, to reinforce your remembrance of
them, you can state their name again. If you want to begin to remember people’s
names, the easiest way is simply speaking it.
A name is the most personal thing a person shares with the
world, and you can be assured that “a lilac by any other name would not smell
as sweet.“
Vikki (not Vicky or Vickie or Vickky or Vikkie or Vickkie)
Walton
Vikki Walton is Founder and
President of grants for higher, llc. As a nonprofit consultant, certified
grants specialist and certified grants reviewer, she comes alongside nonprofits
that are intent on taking their vision to the next level. She is also a
requested speaker for nonprofit training seminars and women’s events. As a
freelance writer, her byline has appeared in local papers such as the Gazette’s
“Experience”, “Home”, as well as the Broadmoor’s in-house magazine. She has also had pieces published in magazines
and compilation books and is a book reviewer for iloveamysterynewsletter.com.
The spelling of her name was taken from the singer, Vikki Carr.
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