Use the Phone – It’s the Professional Thing to Do
I’ll admit, one of my flaws is that I don’t always have my phone on. I want to be totally invested in what you have to say. And, I can’t do that if I’m focused on something else.
So… this may come as a surprise to some of you {{saudra hadley}}…
(and forgive me in advance for being MEAN – you know I don’t do this often)
There are times when you MUST pick up the PHONE and CALL someone.
When are these *times* I’m referring to?
Well… there are many times… most of them have to do with the nature of our industry and making confirmations of vendors the week of wedding. (This is another post for another day.)
I’m referring to CONFRONTATION.
There are times when you must be PROFESSIONAL and business-minded and have a difficult conversation by TELEPHONE.
(yes – I have to shout this today)
OK – let’s be honest here…
When sh*t has hit the fan an we really don’t want to deal with it, isn’t easier to just send an email? (Or god forbid: text+.)
When things are REALLY uncomfortable and you are scared of getting emotional and tongue-tied, isn’t it easier to just send an email? (“But, I can just get all my thoughts out if I type them.”)
When you aren’t sure how the other person is going to react, isn’t it easier to email?
But, life ain’t easy. And, neither is business ownership. It’s time to put on the big-girl pants (OR big-boy pants) and get it done right.
When you have to…
… fire the client because they are a bully…
… contact a colleague because they totally dropped the ball on your client…
… admit that you made a mistake to your client and want to fix it…
… have a heart-to-heart with your business partner…
… clear up misunderstanding…
AND BASICALLY… just discuss anything potentially emotional or important or life-changing or pivotal or *difficult*…
YOU MUST PICK UP THE PHONE AND TALK ABOUT IT.
A good rule of thumb? If it’s so uncomfortable to talk about that you want to send an email to spare yourself… Well – that’s when you need to pick up the phone.
We live in a sheltered world – this world of entrepreneurialism. But in the real world, these difficult conversations are happening on the phone. It’s called “being professional”.
TOMORROW – I’m going to talk more about WHY this matters.
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+ I’m a total texter. Nothing wrong with texting under normal circumstances.
In today’s world of sue happy people, I don’t think picking up the phone in an uncomfortable situation is always in a business owner’s best interest. I think a trail of emails can create a paper trail of correspondence that can protect both parties involved.
We have had a few occasions arise where we have had to approach someone in regards to their actions. Early on in our business, we did the phone thing. But later on that becomes a he said, she said thing. When the correspondence is written, the he said, she said is no longer an issue, as it is all in black and white and very plain to see where each party stands.
I agree a phone call my be warranted in some situations, but in most cases a paper trail is much easier to track.
I will admit that a someone we approached regarding some unethical actions were offended by our desire to correspond about it over several emails, but the email trail clearly proved they took no admittance to their unethical actions.
We like a paper trail of black and white. Not everyone in this world walks in integrity.