We kicked off our 2021 Mentoring Breakfast series with a session led by the incredible Caroline Flanagan. As an inspirational speaker, coach, author and business owner, Caroline works with minority individuals and their employers to increase diversity at the top and believes that Imposter Syndrome is a good thing…when you know what to do with it.
During the session Caroline focused on how important and valuable your name can be and how it can be used as a powerful source of confidence. Our entrepreneurs were challenged to get comfortable with embracing their own names and understanding how it is the most underutilised tool for projecting power.
Thanks for a brilliant session Caroline!
As the famous saying goes, ‘What’s in a name?’.
It’s not something many of us often think about, but during times of autocracy the first possession individuals are stripped of is their name. By truly understanding the sense of identity and uniqueness a name can give an individual, we can gain an insight into how it can be used as a tool to project confidence and power.
So how can you utilise your name to your advantage?
1. Many people often feel embarrassed when their name is mispronounced and don’t take the time to correct it. Some even feel that their unusual name could be a hinderance in professional settings.
It’s important to remember that it’s your responsibility to communicate your name the way in which you would like it to be said.
2. Naturally we are most drawn to those who project the words they are saying with incredible energy. This should be our aim each time we say our own names!
It’s important to consider the speed at which you say your name. Saying our name at 100 miles per hour or even mumbling it before moving onto a completely different topic can often be a reflection of how we feel about ourselves.
Equally, consider intonation. Do you say your name as if it’s a question? This could convey insecurity or uncertainty to other people.
3. ‘Stay in your name’. In our introductions we can often quickly glide over our names and be nervous to simply say the sentence 'My name is...'.
A simple way to become more comfortable in inhabiting your name is to greet yourself with ‘My name is…’ as often as possible. It might feel awkward at first, but by repeating this sentence we can help remove any discomfort hidden within us and allow our names to give us instant courage and fill up the room.
There’s no better example of this than "I'm Bond. James Bond…".
Caroline’s new book 'Be The First' is out on 26th February.
Visit WebsitePublished: 03 February 2021