There are so many wonderful and different names these days. When I come across a name I don’t recognize, I often ask, “Tell me about your name.” What follows is usually a rich discussion of family history, culture, meaning, and symbolism.
Carnegie famously said that the most important word to anyone is their name. And within a name there is often a family elder, respect for an important someone, a mother’s hope, or even a nod to a 70s or 80s television character.
One nurse once said, “My name is Jenny, just like the millions who watched that show back then!” Even so-called “ordinary” names are worth exploring. One “John” told me he had no idea where his name came from, but he said he was going to ask his mother that night.
I teach team members how to productively interact with leaders who are significantly older or younger than they are, not the typical ‘generational’ stereotyping method but one built on the skills of successful human relations.