Have you ever considered the impact you can make with people whether in a job interview, an appearance in the media or at a networking event?

In just the first two sentances we can leave an impression with someone based on how they connect with us. And that impression may not always be favourable.

I’m not referring to our “elevator speech” or “personal brand statement”. I am referring to something that comes in literally the first sentance or two when we meet someone.

And that is how we address someone by name.

I recently experienced two similar situations where the person introducing themself made a fatal error in judgement - I am sure not intentionally. But the impact was such that it did not encourage me to be open or receptive to other things they then shared in the conversation.

You see I was being compared to John Wayne, Shania Twain, Cliff Richard and Estee Lauder. Now don’t get me wrong, these were and are successful people but they have one thing in common – they all changed their name from that which they were born with.

You see the first thing my recent networking contacts said to me was

“that’s an interesting name – is that your given name or did you adopt it so that you would stand out in your field of expertise?”

Wow was I taken aback.

You see that response really made me stop and think.

Is it helpful to have a name that is not particularly common in the communities I circulate in?  Yes of course. But I was so suprised that someone one think that I made up my name.

The name Krishna may not be commonly used in Western Europe or North America, but as it is the name of a Hindu deity, it is very common in Asia.

Usually our name is something that we did not chose as it was bestowed on us by our parents. But to change our name for business reasons goes against what I believe is critical in relation to developing a strong leadership brand and strong personal brand. That we are authentic and real.

A strong personal brand is an expression of the best of what we can be but it is not fiction.

One of the first rules in business etiquette and networking etiquette applies to when you are introduced to someone. it is imperative that you

• make sure that you hold the other persons name in utmost respect. In an ever increasingly global world we will meet people with names that are not so easy for us to promounce or spell but it is down to us to make an effort and pronounce their name with care
• never shorten someones name unless invited to do so
• and never never never make a comment that their name is so unusual did they assume it themself versus the name that was bestowed on them at birth.

Apply these three business etiquette rules to your intitial networking introduction and you will be more likely to have a receptive audience when you move through the rest of your conversation.

By the way, Krishna is the name I was given at birth and was gifted to me as both my paternal grandparents had the name Krishna. My other first name was gifted to me as it connect to my maternal grandparents – but you’ll have to ask me what that one is as few people know it!

Note: for an extensive list of famous people who did change their name go here

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