More than 50% of business people have a voice-mail message that says something like, "Thank you for calling. I am not here. Leave a message and I will call you back as soon as possible."

At least half those business people have that message on their phone system even though they know they will not return many phone calls. For example, they know they will not return phone calls when:

• They don't know the person.
• They think the person is trying to sell something.
• They think the person is trying to talk them into sponsoring or donating something.
• They think the person is too junior to talk to.
• They feel they are too busy with other work.

In other words, some business people don't return phone calls when the caller doesn't pass their What's In It For Me? test. 

The question is...

When they know they will not return all those types of calls, why do they use a voice-mail message that says they will?

Using blunt words, why do they provide voice-mail proof they are liars?

People who use a phone for business should not ignore this inconsistency or how other people will react to it.

Why?

Other people notice lies. While people tend to cut themselves slack...they almost always judge others more harshly. And, when they find other people acting inconsistently it is viewed as untrustworthy. It sours relationships and closes doors. 

While you may think otherwise, regardless - there is no long-term 'win' for you when you say one thing and do another...no reward - just risk; sooner or later that risk will catch up to you and visit you as a problem.

So, if you are using your phone 'inconsistently' you should correct that: there are a number of ways you can correct it.

The top 3 are:

1. Change your voice-mail message so it aligns with the action you know you will take after receiving messages on your phone.
2. Start returning phone calls so your actions align with the message you have on your voice mail.
3. Remove voice mail from your phone.

PS: Successful People Have More Time

PPS: There is an economic justification for 'consistency'. And, of course, there is an interpersonal justification.

Thought Tweet #528 Customers hate to be sold but they love to learn, even if you have to teach them how.

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

Gitomer, and others before him, have said "Customers hate to be sold but they love to buy". 

But, let's face it - sometimes people don't love to buy and, of more importance, 'some things' people don't love to buy. 

Many people enjoy learning and some people need to be taught how to learn...or, at least, reminded.

Thought Tweet #527 Business leaders possess strong drive and will. Those are defining traits. But, there must be more...

The Thinking Behind The Tweet

The best business leaders have the ability to focus their drive and will. They focus it, usually, in one of two ways: (1) toward ideas and (2) toward people.

The very-best of business leaders possess extreme drive and will and the ability to pick the perfect focal point, exactly balancing ideas and people.