Changing Format Name output

I have the format name set to username. In the manage connections display, is there a way to display the firstname, instead of username, on connection requests I am waiting on a response to?
My thought is to use cb autoactions onbeforemanageconnectionsform. But, cannot figure out how to tell the difference between an actual connection and a connection pending a response.
see attached.

No, formatname field is used pretty much exclusively for external name display and linking to profiles. So if Name Format within CB > Configuration > General is set to Username Only it will only display username and it will do so everywhere.