The answer is a definitive maybe.  It depends on whom you are calling, why you are calling, and how many calls you have made previously over what time frame and on the reason for your call.  With this many variables to combine in different ways, there are thousands of different situations, each one requiring decision on whether or not to leave a call.  Let’s try some simplifying guidelines:

1. The bias is to leave a message. If you leave a messages, you remind the contacts that you are still out there thinking about them.  They see you in their minds eye, however briefly.  That is one thing you are trying accomplish by calling in the first place.  Within limits, people are not troubled by periodic messages, even if they don’t return them.  When you do finally reach them, most people apologize for not returning your call.  (The appropriate reply to such an apology is, “Oh, please don’t apologize.  I just hope my calls haven’t been a nuisance.”  Listen carefully to the response to this statement.)
2. When leaving a message, make clear how urgent the call is.Here are three sample messages: a) It’s not at all urgent, but if you . . . b) It’s not desperate urgent, but it would be a huge help if you can . . . c) If at all possible I would like to talk with you today. . . . Declaring the level of urgency helps avoid the discomfort of the contact seriously inconveniencing herself to return your call, only to find it was for some matter of little importance.
3. Leave a message which states clearly not to call you back if you know she won’t be able to reach you. This reduces her frustration and your discomfort, but still wins you a brief moment of connection.  (“It’s Ford Harding.  I do have something I would like to talk with you about, but I am traveling, so you won’t be able to reach me.  I will call again when I get a break to see if I can catch you.)  This allows you to call back again later, and if your contact still doesn’t answer, you can leave another brief message again.  (It’s Ford Harding again.  I have a break, so I am trying to catch.  You won’t be able to reach me, so I will try again when I get another break.)
4. Assume that many contacts will know who called, even if you don’t leave a message.  Caller identification lets the contact know who is calling, whether you leave a message or not.
5. Do not leave a message when you have called several times over a short period and left messages already.
6. Leave no message when there is a clear probability that the call may be misinterpreted.Clear probability is a high standard.  Better than leaving no message is a statement that you are calling for some other reason.  (“This is Ford Harding.  I am not calling about the proposal.  We are hiring at an entry level and was hoping that with your university contacts, you might be able to suggest a candidate.”)

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 4th, 2007 at 5:03 PM and is filed under Rainmaker. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.