You've Got to Be Kidding!: How to Keep Your Job Without Losing Your Integrity

“White Lies” via the Telephone

Now, let’s return to a workplace-specific situation. We are familiar with the “telephone white lie,” which requires that we tell a caller someone is “out of the office” when they are clearly “in the office.” This everyday dilemma remains a pesky challenge for 63 percent of my survey respondents. But I hope many of you have learned (and now practice) the priceless word unavailable. Stating that someone is unavailable—which is the truth, even if they are standing in front of you—and offering to help or take a message is an honest as well as effective answer to this age-old conundrum.

I know, I know. There are those bully callers who still may push you to answer the question, “Then, he/she is not there?” Just give the same answer, period.

Here’s a trick to field those pesky calls when your boss is in but available only to certain people. Your response is, “I’m sorry, but Ms. Olson is unavailable at the moment. Could you please give me your name and number and I’ll see that she gets your message?” Then, if the caller identifies himself as someone your boss has informed you that she wants to talk to, you can always say, “Oh, I know she would like to be interrupted to talk with you!” When you put that call through, your caller feels on top of the world—and you are the hero! Please note as well that you still did not have to lie.

Another important item to remember: Never make a promise for your boss, either. She may never return the caller’s phone call, ...