What’s Your Name?

Posted by Rahna on July 17, 2009 under Branding, Personal Branding | Be the First to Comment

“A person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”  Dale Carnegie

 

I had an interesting discussion today with someone whose name can be shortened—you know, like Josh versus Joshua, or Kim versus Kimberly, or Kate, Katie, for Kathryn.  I was asking her whether she preferred me to call her by her formal name or the more casual shortened name.  She said (with a bit of trepidation) that she introduces herself by the formal name, but that either is fine.  Yet I could tell that there was more emotion beneath the surface.  I pressed the issue.  As a matter of fact, when I asked her how she refers to herself when she calls her mom or her best friend, her answer was that she always says, “Hi, it’s me”, which is no name at all!

 

It finally came out that she prefers her formal name, though she was afraid to say that because so many people use the abbreviated version.  As a result of asking this one simple question, we ended up having quite a discussion about being definitive, being unique, and having the confidence to stand up and be “someone.”

 

In the world of personal branding, your name is all-important.  Celebrate who you are; celebrate your name.  If you don’t like your name, come up with a nickname for yourself and begin introducing yourself that way.  My sister’s name is Christina, but everyone calls her “Cricket” because she is much more of a “Cricket” than a Christina.  She identifies herself that way and has made it her own.

 

Own your name and have the confidence and courage to stand up for yourself and your name.   As you do this, you will begin to have a stronger feeling for who you are and what your personal brand is.