I’ve met about 85% of you over the past day,” the speaker stated as he began his talk to a crowd of about 300. “Everyone stand!” he continued. “When I say your name, sit down!”
We dutifully stood, and he began to walk around the room, table by table. “You’re Sarah, and you’re Jim, and I believe you’re Lisa, and, if I recall, you’re Dan.”
Sarah, Jim, Lisa and Dan sat down in order, as he continued with Lance, John, Nicole, Anne, Frank and Ron, who followed suit and sat down. Five minutes later, about 20 people remained standing. The rest of us sat in jaw-dropping amazement!
I’d thought I’d be one of those still standing as I didn’t remember having introduced myself to him earlier. I guess my name tag was good enough for him, though.
So began his talk on developing one’s memory.
He followed by asking 25 people each to give a double-digit number. (Of course, he solicited them each by name.) The rest of us wrote down the 50 digits in order as they came. When all fifty had been given, he recited them, in correct order. Then, for good measure, he recited them backwards.
Ron White, “The Memory Guy,” was the two-time U.S. memory champion. Now he’s a circuit speaker, helping people develop their memories so as to be more effective in daily life—and, of course, he also sells his more substantial course on the subject. His 90-minute presentation was delivered flawlessly—without notes, of course.
So why was this important at a “Super Conference” for entrepreneurs and investors?
“Your name is the sweetest sound you can hear.” Dale Carnegie is said to have declared. “When a person hears their name, you immediately build rapport. They feel special. It goes a long ways towards building relationships.”
“How often,” White asked, “have you been introduced to someone, spoken with them for a minute or two, but already have forgotten their name by the end of the conversation?” Most of us could identify.
For forty-five minutes, or so, he gave us an overview of the formula and explained how to remedy the problem; how to work at developing our memory, and be deliberate about remembering names.
What do you think? Is it true that the sound of your own name is the most pleasing sound in the world? If so, is it important to focus on remembering the names of the people we interact with, even if it takes some effort to learn the method to develop our memory? Will the relationship-building be worth the effort in the end?
While eating lunch after the presentation, I memorized the fifty numbers we’d written down earlier, then walked up to him and recited them to him. And, of course, I bought his course.
Now, if only I could remember who I was sitting beside at that presentation.
I sure hope that course arrives soon!
Ron Geddert
