I understand we all have busy lives, but I'm just not buying that everyone is so busy they can't return a call. When Sherry Lansing was head of Paramount Pictures, she had every call returned the same day by someone in her office. It wasn't just PR. I know this from personal experience.
By the way, still waiting for my three picture deal.
I supposed there are better and more significant ways to take stock of a person, but for me, returning calls is high on the list. When I held associate creative director and cd positions, I always set aside time at the end of the day to return calls to reps, job seekers, friends and students.
I never forgot what it was like trying to get a call back from someone at an agency. I still haven't.
Some of the people I'm most loyal to in the business, and who I have the highest regard for are people who got back to me when they didn't have to. I know it seems like such an old school idea. But it's a simple gesture. And it speaks volumes about the person making it.
Friends are sometimes bad at calling back. There's a certain take-it-for-grantedness that comes with friendships or relationships of any length of time. For some reason, we're willing to let the unreturned call from a friend slide more often.
Although I find less so as I get older. Tick tock Clarice.
And in case you were wondering, I consider returning a call with an email the coward's way out. But only because it is.
Anyway, if you have any thoughts about this just leave a comment.
I'll get back to you.
