Inspiring Workplaces 
The Way Work Ought to Be!

#1,097- October 22, 2025

Years ago, when I was interviewing a CEO while researching inspiring workplaces in Copenhagen, Denmark, I remember how wonderful it felt seeing our names welcoming my wife and I on a large sign at the front entrance of his office. And at a restaurant in Tallinn, Estonia, my wife and I knew we had made the right choice for dinner when we saw a placeholder with our names on a table waiting for us as soon as we entered the restaurant. 

In my book Small Moments, Big Outcomes, I write about the importance of using people's names. It's such a small thing, yet when we remember people's names and when we welcome customers by name into our businesses with even a simple sign it can have a significant impact on how people feel. 

A YMCA in New York found that the single best thing they did to retain membership numbers was to train the staff to remember and use everyone's name so that members felt like they truly belonged. 

If you nurture your ability to remember people's names, you will stand out as a more thoughtful and caring leader on your team.  

Now, I am the first to admit that I am not the best at remembering names. I can SO relate to a popular Kermit the Frog meme: "One of my biggest faults is when I ask someone their name I forget to listen to what their name is." 

If you're going to get better at remembering names the first step is to stop telling yourself you're bad at remembering names! Be more intentional. Pay attention. Find a hook that will help you remember their name. Use their name immediately. Turn remembering names into a contest with your teammates.

My speaking colleague Carol Schulte does a simple but effective practice to help her recall names: For people she may only see periodically, like the barista she'll maybe only see once a week, she will make a note of their name in a file on her iPhone. It's a dirt simple habit that helps her remember far more names.