 |
|
| Scott Ginsberg's Front Porch |
|
| By Scott Ginsberg |
|
In the beginning, it all started out as an experiment. Years ago after concluding a student seminar at Miami University, I asked myself, "What would happen if I wore this name badge all the time?" Maybe people would be friendlier. Maybe people would say hello to me. Maybe people would stare at me and think I was a complete weirdo!
The answer: all of the above.
I predicted that people's reactions to constantly wearing a name badge would be pretty interesting. What I did not predict, however, was that wearing a name badge would change my entire life! More importantly, that it would become my very own mechanism for breaking down communication barriers and encouraging friendly interactions!
So? I started wearing the name badge all the time!.
In 1999, as I began my quest to make this world friendlier, a friend of mine bought me two boxes of MACO name badges. They had the red border. The paper was smooth and thick. They looked great, and they became my standard.
Now, after close to three years of consistently wearing a name badge, I have found that it makes me more approachable. People feel more comfortable and willing to talk to me because they have a great conversation starter. In short, my name badge functions as a veritable "front porch," because it increases the level of approachability!
But truthfully, wearing a name badge all the time isn't for everybody. In fact, most people think that I'm down right crazy! However, the most important value I've learned is this: making people friendlier is a simple act that can be carried out by anyone in any way. And, in order to harness the value of communication and interpersonal interaction, we must increase approachability. In short, we all must find our own front porch.
My front porch is a name badge-what's yours?
Scott Ginsberg, who wrote the book, "Hello, My Name is Scot," is a writer and public speaker, and has appeared in several leading media outlets, including CNN Live, CBS Early Show, and USAToday.com. To find more information about Scott, please visit www.hellomynameisscott.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](../../images/wsSpacer.gif"){kind=spacer}