Imagine feeling utterly invisible at your new job. That's precisely what Brooke Cooper faced as an intern – and she turned it into an incredible advantage that ultimately landed her the top job. Her story proves that even the smallest actions can have a monumental impact on your career.
Brooke Cooper's journey to becoming the first female General Manager in the Red Sox franchise is nothing short of inspiring. It all began in 2015 when she joined the Worcester Red Sox (the Triple-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox) as a merchandise intern. But here's the catch: the team store, then located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was incredibly isolated. As Cooper, now 33, explained to CNBC Make It, the physical setup meant she could spend entire workdays without interacting with anyone.
Picture this: on non-game days, Brooke would be alone, vacuuming, folding clothes, and managing inventory in a store detached from the main operations. "Those days got pretty long and lonely," she recalled.
So, how did she go from feeling like a ghost in the machine to shattering glass ceilings? Her secret weapon? People's names.
To stand out, Cooper proactively studied the team's program book. She made it her mission to memorize the names and faces of every single person in the front office. The result? When she encountered them, she could greet them by name.
While she looks back on this strategy with amusement, Cooper admits it worked wonders. Leaders in the front office started noticing the ambitious 23-year-old MBA candidate with a focus on marketing. This recognition paved the way for a full-time position with the team after her internship.
"When someone calls you by name, you naturally want to learn their name," Cooper explained. "It's such an open invitation to have a conversation."
Fast forward to May 2024, and Cooper's dedication and strategic people skills culminated in her appointment as the Worcester Red Sox's General Manager, making history as the first woman to hold the position within the Red Sox organization.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some might say memorizing names is manipulative or inauthentic. What do you think?
Cooper's story highlights the power of something seemingly simple: addressing people by name. But is it really that important? According to Joyce Russell, a management professor and former dean of the Villanova School of Business, it absolutely is, especially given "the increasing amount of incivility and impersonal nature" prevalent in today's workplaces.
Russell emphasizes that while it's a small habit often overlooked, "forming those relationships, starting with their name, starting to get to know something about them as an individual, is really powerful." It's about acknowledging someone's humanity.
And this is the part most people miss... The impact of using someone's name isn't just anecdotal; it's scientifically supported. A 2016 study published in the neuroscience journal Cerebral Cortex revealed that our brains tend to react when we hear our names, even when we aren't paying attention. The study suggests that hearing your name acts as "a signal for social interaction." It triggers a response that says, "Pay attention, this is about you!"
Now, you might be thinking, "Okay, but I don't have a program book!" Not a problem. Russell suggests using LinkedIn to connect faces to names, fostering connections that are crucial for collaboration and professional advancement. It's also essential to pronounce names correctly. As Russell points out, doing so helps others feel seen "as a human being and not just as some transaction."
"People really long to have a human connection with someone," Russell concludes. "Using their name is the first and easiest way to have that connection." It's about showing respect and genuine interest. It shows that you value them.
So, what's the takeaway? In a world that often feels increasingly disconnected, remembering and using someone's name can be a powerful tool for building relationships and creating a more human workplace. Could this simple act be the key to your own success? What strategies have you used to connect with colleagues in a meaningful way? Do you agree that remembering names is a game-changer, or is there more to it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
