Pick Up The Phone Already

Talking on the phone is so last century.

Texting is the communication vehicle of choice for huge chunks of the population–done on the go, at any hour, no interpersonal skills required.

But sometimes a phone call is what it takes to get it done.

Recently I worked with a younger agent on a real estate transaction. During the five weeks between contract and closing, I spoke to the agent only once, despite many efforts to reach him by phone.

This was OK. Until there was a problem,  and then it wasn’t OK.

Not a  major problem as these things go.

In fact, a quick five minute  phone call from the agent assuaging my buyers’ concerns was all it would have taken.

But nope. I couldn’t get this guy on the phone—ever.

So after number of unsatisfactory, unfriendly, and unresolved text messages, we’re hours to closing, and everyone is mad.

A five minute conversation in exchange for hours of angst? Seems like an easy tradeoff to me.

So next time your fingers are poised over your phone’s keypad, ask yourself, is this news or request  better delivered in a phone call?  Does it require subtlety, clarity, or closure?

If so, ring-a-ding-ding.