[Flash] One Question that Bridges Strangers into Friends

“I was initially hesitant to take it on as I didn’t have a record deal yet, so how could I call myself a ‘legend’? But then I decided to grab it because I’m not going to go into my career with this fear that it won’t work out. I’m going to go live up to this name. It was a bit audacious, I know.”

Sigourney:
When Sue Weaver was 13, she was already towering over her classmates.

“I had great trouble at the height of six feet, saying my name is “Sue” – so small. Then I read the book The Great Gatsby and saw the name “Sigourney,” I liked its look – it goes on for three syllables. I’m going to use it as a placeholder, I thought. It wasn’t supposed to be a stage name.”

Bono:
As teens, Paul David Hewson and his friends joined a surrealist street gang in Dublin and needed nicknames. Paul’s friend dubbed him “Bono Vox” after a hearing-aid store in the neighborhood. Paul did not like it until he learned it was derived from the Latin word “Bonovox,” which means “good voice.”

The Question
One of my favorite get-to-know-you-quickly questions is, “What’s the story behind your name?”

It serves to unlock connections in a few ways:

• Being curious and interested in someone else is a gateway to trust.
• It helps me remember their name (because the brain quickly processes information when it’s connected to a story).
• It makes the other person feel important and validated (especially when I can easily recall their name!)
• It offers a glimpse into their life, allowing me to discover their origin, family, or journey.
• It sometimes identifies a commonality we share.
• It requires a low investment of time and preparation.

In addition, this one question decreases the inevitable anxiety of meeting someone new because it shifts the spotlight from “We don’t know each other!” to “What could we learn about each other?”

When you are eager to connect with a new person or strengthen the relationship with a colleague, a mentoring partner, or a friend, simply (but genuinely!) inquire about their name.

Everyone has a story. Even no story is a story.

© 2023. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved.