Joshua Peacock, co-founder and CEO of SalaryGuide, points out that a single straightforward habit can greatly accelerate professional growth. In today’s competitive job market, success relies more on personality traits and soft skills than just technical abilities or experience. The habit he highlights is simply remembering the names of colleagues. Peacock notes that building genuine connections through this practice often leads employees to promotions quicker than those who focus only on completing tasks.
Many people believe they are good at recalling names, but reality frequently shows otherwise. Communication forms the base of strong workplace relationships, and it begins with creating a real connection. Emotional awareness plays a key role here, helping individuals read situations, handle conflicts calmly, and adjust how they interact with others. As Peacock explains, “Career advancement isn’t just about performing tasks, but about navigating situations. Emotional awareness allows people to ‘read the room’, calmly resolve conflicts, and adapt their communication style. Those who remain composed under pressure are often seen as ready for leadership.”
Remembering names stands out as one of the easiest ways to show this emotional awareness in daily interactions. Peacock describes it as mastering an underrated workplace skill. Using a person’s name demonstrates genuine attention and respect toward them as an individual, not merely their job function. He adds, “Mastering one of the most underrated skills in the workplace comes down to remembering names.” Furthermore, “Using someone’s name signals attention and respect. This conveys that you value the person, not just their role. Over time, this builds trust and closeness, which is crucial for advancement into leadership.”
Soft skills like these influence promotion decisions far more than most employees realize. Those who excel at forming connections tend to stand out over time. Small, authentic actions create lasting impressions that open doors to higher roles. Peacock stresses that fostering trust through such habits proves essential for anyone aiming for leadership positions.
Psychologist Christopher Haley provides insight into why names carry such weight. From childhood, a name ties deeply to a person’s sense of identity, recognition, and value. Hearing it used correctly triggers positive emotions automatically. Haley states, “A person’s name is one of the most emotionally significant words they hear. From early childhood, a name is strongly associated with identity, recognition, and a sense of self-worth. When someone remembers and correctly uses your name, it sends a clear message: you care enough to remember me.”
These consistent, sincere efforts help distinguish professionals in the long run. They contribute to faster career progress by strengthening networks and rapport. Leaders often notice employees who make others feel valued in subtle ways. Overlooking this habit can limit opportunities, even for highly skilled workers.
Emotional intelligence, a concept popularized in the 1990s by psychologist Daniel Goleman, encompasses abilities like empathy and social awareness that drive workplace success. Research shows that leaders with high emotional intelligence outperform others in team management and decision-making. Remembering names serves as a basic yet powerful tool within this framework, aligning with principles of building influence through personal respect. Classic advice from experts like Dale Carnegie has long emphasized this technique as a way to make people feel important and foster loyalty.
In modern organizational psychology, soft skills account for a significant portion of what separates top performers from average ones. Companies increasingly prioritize interpersonal abilities during hiring and promotions. Training programs often include exercises to improve name recall and active listening. These elements support overall career development in collaborative environments.
Have you noticed remembering names impacting your own career progression? Share your thoughts in the comments.
