The Phone
13th of November, 2007
I have a phone answering policy that I think more should adopt. I’ve been using it in practice for a few years now but haven’t ever stopped to think about exactly what I’m doing. When trying to work out what unspoken rules I follow it comes down to just one simple rule:
If I’m not expecting a call, I don’t answer the phone.
I thought it might have had something to do with the time of day or week but when someone calls at 7AM, it’s never expected so it’s never answered. Although I do think it’s rude when people call unannounced before 9AM or after 5PM, the decision to answer is covered by the above rule.
It might seem self-important or obnoxious but I’m just not contactable at the whim of anyone else. Before phones, no one would ever drop whatever they’re doing because someone wants to talk to them. It doesn’t even happen with face to face conversation, no one demands attention like a ringing phone does.
Leave a message, I’ll deal with it when I want to deal with it, not when you want me to. Even if it’s 5 minutes from your call — It makes a big difference.
I’d be interested to see how many calls per day/per week you get. I think that once you had a high saturation of calls, coming up with a general rule for yourself is a good idea to keep your time well managed.
I only get 3 or 4 calls a week on average, so I take all my calls, but I can see the value of having a system like you do.
Made by Daniel Nicolas who has a website — http://www.snackonthat.com
I get perhaps 4 or 5 calls a day on average. Some days I might get none at all, others I might get 8 or 9. But during the week it’s about 4 or 5. I think the more calls you get, the more you need my system.
Made by Jim who has a website — http://jimwhimpey.com
But… what if there is an emergency? Sometimes the phone is the only way to get to you in an emergency, and emergencies don’t happen after 9am and before 5pm.
Otherwise, pretty cool, if only because I adopt a somewhat similar policy as well. And in the case of mobile phones, I might even leave it at home when I go out. :)
Made by Untitled
Once your boss gives you a Blackberry, it’s pretty hard not to ignore phone calls like that. One or two missed, he/she will never call you.
Made by Tommy Park who has a website — http://objact.com
Your boss never calling you? That sounds like heaven.e
Made by Jim who has a website — http://jimwhimpey.com
Very great theory, but what “untitled” said is true what if there is an emergency? and when you call back the person is lying in a coma at the hospital? what are you going to say to yourself then?…
Made by Eli who has a website — http://eli.knight47.com