The countdown to the release of my new book When in Doubt, Ask for More: And 213 Other Life and Career Lessons for Mission-Driven Leaders (Rivertowns Books, 2020) continues. As it does, I am releasing excerpts by video and now in print. The excerpt below is one of the 214 lessons or “hacks” that I learned as a nonprofit leader, but that I wish I had learned earlier. I have seen some leaders apply this lesson diligently and without fail, whereas others use it sporadically if ever. In the latter case, they put off making those uncomfortable calls and in so doing, regularly alienate allies.
Call Back Quickly—Especially When You Don’t Want To
Be quick about returning calls from your top contacts—board members, major donors, and other influential stakeholders. Remember that most wealthy, powerful people expect to have their calls returned promptly; even people of more modest means who are heavily invested in your organization probably have the same expectation. Call back quickly even when you feel reluctant to do so. In fact, it’s especially important to return calls promptly when you are nervous that the conversation might be difficult to navigate. Since most people put those calls off, you distinguish yourself positively by doing the opposite—and because you avoid letting days pass while your anxiety festers, you help to ensure that the call will probably go better than you fear.