Dear Diane,
I have been trying to resolve an office predicament regarding my name. I began a new job several weeks ago and almost immediately others started calling me Alex, an abbreviated version of my name, Alexandra. My coworkers continued to introduce me as Alex, and now it has stuck. I prefer using my full name as I think it is more professional than a nickname. How do I resolve this issue and not embarrass my colleagues in the process? The last thing I want to do is strain new workplace relationships.
Alexandra G.
Dear Alexandra,
The best time to correct a mispronounced name is when initially introduced. In the future say something like, “Hello, it is nice to meet you, Sarah. I actually go by Alexandra – it is a common mistake.” Now that your name has been established as Alex, you must gently handle damage control. In a friendly tone of voice, say “I know I started off as Alex, and I was remiss in not addressing the assumption right away. I have always gone by my given name, Alexandra. I apologize for the confusion.” Perhaps try doing this in a staff meeting or a place where you can get the message across to multiple people,
If you deliver the message with goodwill and a smile, your colleagues will appreciate the update. They will certainly not interpret the clarification as a reprimand. In the future, consider it your responsibility to ensure your name is pronounced correctly. A good way to reconcile this dilemma is to make every effort to introduce yourself first when meeting someone new.
Hope this helps,
Diane
You may also like Email Etiquette: How to Address Names in Emails. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on HuffPost, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.
