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Everyone is busy, everyone is simply doing their job and you are certainly no more important or special than me.  Quit being rude, arrogant, or disrespectful when it comes to phone etiquette.  Whew!  I am glad I got that off my chest.

There is no doubt we are all under a great deal of pressure. The demands on our time at work and at home seem to have increased dramatically.  The stresses of the day-to-day job have grown as well.  Sometimes it seems that we have no time to do the normal work we want or need to do.  Unfortunately, when it comes to voice mail etiquette, none of that is an excuse.

We all are victims of harassing phone calls--salespeople (not me), bill collectors, customers, friends, co-workers, our boss.  What a pain!  Regardless, you have an obligation to fulfill your obligation.  If your voice mail says, "I will call you back", call back.  Using "as soon as possible" behind that is not an excuse for never.  It means "sometime soon."

Not returning a call merely means you will get another call, then another, and probably another.  After all, you never said, "don't call me" or "not interested."  Even though you think you are inferring it, you are not.  You are merely giving the impression that you forgot or were too busy to call back.  Diligent callers, those who actively leave voice mails are here to make sure you don't forget.  They will call back.  Give them some guidelines that will do them and you a big favor.

Here is what I recommend.

1.  State your voicemail rules and honor them. "Thanks for calling, I will return your call within 24 hours. If this is a solicitation, tell me the truth.  If I do not call you back within 24 hours, it means I am not interested at this time."  Or, "Please do not leave a voice mail. I almost never return voice mails anymore.  Please send me an email regarding this matter and I will respond to your email request within 24 hours."  Or, "I check voicemails so infrequently that I would encourage you to not leave a voice mail message.  The best way to communicate a message to me is..."  You get the idea.  Lay down some ground rules that work for everyone. These people are merely doing their jobs or trying to help.

2. Don't be rude.  Voice mails that say "if you don't hear from me, you have my answer."  That is arrogant.  Be kind, be honest, and be respectful.

Remember that your behavior regarding voice mails is a reflection on you.  A lack of courtesy reflects badly.  That may have an impact on a potential valuable relationship.  Choose your words and your attitude and your response carefully.  I know that I have made a concious decision not to do business with people because they were so pathetic at common phone call courtesies.   Set some ground rules for managing your voice mail behaviors.  Articulate them clearly.  And, live by them consistently.  It will make everyone's life easier.

What are your thoughts, suggestions, or comments?  Please share.