Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Anonymous...

Upon entering my office this morning, I was met by two voice mail messages from my time away. I record an "away message" letting people know that I'll be out of the country and it may be wiser to call me back when I return.

The first message was from a "concerned parent" who failed to leave me a name (strike one through three)...

If I get an anonymous email that is critical, I will read long enough to make sure the person has left me a name. If there's no name, I delete it.
If that anonymous email is someone sharing encouragement or asking for prayer, I will take time to read it and pray for that person.
If I receive an anonymous comment on this blog that is critical, I will delete it.


The problem with this voice mail was that I wasn't sure it was anonymous until it was over. To be honest, I was bummed out that I missed this call, because I think I could have helped the person understand some significant misunderstandings.

But now, after posting this little story, I move on and cannot worry about that call. I can't do anything more to help out.

Just a reminder, if you are going to critique anywhere or anytime, do it right. If at all possible, do it in private over public, do it in person over phone or email.... ALWAYS IDENTIFY YOURSELF!

By the way, the second voice mail was from a former intern I can't wait to call back today.

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