Don’t Make Promises for Other People

We can control our own actions. We can’t control those of others. Therefore be careful what you commit to or promise.

When I call to speak with someone and they’re not available, don’t promise that you’ll have them call me as soon as they’re out of their meeting or by 5:00 or sometime tonight or first thing in the morning. While you may want this to happen for me – and for your company – you can’t control the ultimate outcome of your promise. What if I don’t get called back? Who promised that I would? See the problem?

You can take the message, you can see that the person I’m calling gets it, and you can even politely nudge or even insist that I be called back – but that’s all you can do. You can’t call me for the other person – that’s entirely up to them.

Don’t promise that something will be shipped or emailed or sent unless you’re the one doing it and you know that you can accomplish what you say. Now there are times when you get delayed or what you need to ship isn’t available as planned. You can then apologize for your own actions and reschedule.

How can you apologize for someone else not honoring the commitment you made for them?

* For more information about my consulting and coaching services visit my website stevehoffacker.com. I also maintain a blog on the real estate network Active Rain, and you can join this site and begin participating in the fun and networking opportunities by clicking here.