Do The Right Thing and Return Those Phone Calls

The following blog has been published in the Metro Christian Living Magazine- August 2010

Have you ever wondered why people don't return phone calls? Well I have and because of some of my experiences, I have come to the conclusion that is extremely inconsiderate not to return calls. It's gotten to the point where I hate leaving phone messages on people's voice mail because I really can't trust that they will call me back. I have even caught myself being very anxious, hoping and praying that they will return my phone call! I am now almost only sending emails because I know that I will usually get an answer. I have gotten so excited when people (especially in business) have taken the time to return my phone calls that I make a big deal about it to them and let them know how much it means to me that they returned my call. How many answering voice mails have I heard that say that the person that I am calling is out of the office or unavailable but if I leave a message, they will call me back..... and I never hear from them? Too many!!

Sometimes it is easier to send emails, I will admit, but there are times when I really need to have a person to person voice conversation over the phone.

Some reasons why we might not return phone calls include:

1. We are so technologically driven these days. I think that many of us will agee that we are fast replacing person to person, face to face interaction with the internet and emails. Since we are all "velcro-ed" to our computers and the internet, it is sometimes more convenient to send emails back and forth.. and maybe it is because we want to avoid talking over the phone to the other person. We may be avoiding a conflict or talking about unpleasant circumstances. You can always tell if your are replacing voice to voice conversation with using email if you can answer the question, "Would I say the same thing to this person voice to voice/person to person as I am typing to them?"

2. We get busy. Yeah, yeah, that's the big excuse of the universe! Everyone is busy so it really isn't an excuse. You know as well as I do that you make time for what is really important to you.

3. You don't want to talk to the other person that called- being selfish and uncaring. You just blow them off. I tell you, in business (and friendships), blowing off people will get you absolutely NOWHERE! People do not appreciate being blown off and they will not have a favorable impression of you.

4. Having someone screen your phone calls- If someone is screening your calls, you do not have an excuse to not return their calls because the person who called knows that you most likely received the message. One time I called someone only to have the call screened by a person who put her hand over the phone to ask the person with whom I wanted to speak to if they wanted to talk to me. I could heare the whispers and I also heard the answer in the background which was, "tell her I am unavailable". Ouch!

When people return my phone calls it's like receiving a hand written thank you note in the mail. People just don't do it anymore, but when they do, it really makes them shine and stand out in the crowd. Returning a phone call makes the person who called you feel valued and respected and it's simply the right thing to do.

Try to return phone calls as soon as possible and after you listen to your voice mail messages please remember the Golden Rule.. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.