The Brilliant Trick I Use When I Forget Someone’s Name

Avoiding awkward moments while networking has never been easier with this simple technique.

Several years ago, I attended a high-profile business event at the prestigious Hemingways Hotel in Nairobi. It was a grand affair, filled with influential professionals from various industries. At the time, I was working as a marketing consultant and was eager to make new connections.

Following an impressive keynote presentation, attendees were invited to mingle over drinks and hors d’oeuvres. As I navigated the room, I engaged in conversation with a delightful couple. After about fifteen minutes, it was time to move on. We exchanged pleasantries—‘It was wonderful meeting you’… ‘Likewise’—and parted ways.

Just as I turned away, a gentleman nearby beamed at me and said, ‘Adogo, how have you been? I thought that was you!’

His face was instantly familiar. He had been instrumental in helping me a few years back when I served as a spokesperson for a trade association. He was a respected political consultant, well-known in his field.

However, despite recognizing him, his name completely escaped me!

I smiled warmly and responded with enthusiasm. ‘Hey there! Great to see you.’ I shook his hand, hoping my friendly demeanor masked the blank space in my memory.

Determined to recall his name naturally during our conversation, I kept the dialogue going. Unfortunately, it never came back to me.

We chatted for nearly ten minutes when an unexpected—and slightly mortifying—moment occurred. The event’s organizer, a senior executive and one of the evening’s keynote speakers, approached us. I had met her a couple of times before, and she greeted me confidently.

‘Hello, Adogo…’

And just like that, I braced myself, knowing the next words out of her mouth could expose my forgetfulness.

The Secret Hack That Saved Me

I had found myself in this situation before, and over time, I discovered a brilliant way to navigate it. When caught in a name-forgetting dilemma, I deploy a subtle yet effective trick: introduce the person to someone else.

As the organizer reached us, I turned to my unnamed acquaintance and said, ‘Oh, I don’t believe you two have met. Let me introduce you!’

I gestured toward the organizer, giving my mysterious friend the opportunity to say his name himself. ‘Oh, how rude of me!’ he said with a chuckle, extending his hand. ‘I’m Jonathan.’

Saved!

By facilitating the introduction, I had smoothly retrieved his name without revealing my lapse in memory. Since learning this technique, I’ve used it countless times to navigate social and professional settings seamlessly.

So next time you’re in a similar situation, don’t panic—just introduce them to someone else and let them do the work for you. It’s a foolproof method that has spared me from countless awkward moments, and I’m sure it will work for you, too!