How a 45-Second Phone Call Changed My Perspective on Communication

Susan Chaudhary Offline Thinker

1st January 2025
It was New Year’s Day. As part of my resolutions, I promised myself to wake up an hour earlier than usual. Normally, my alarm would go off at 7:30 AM, but I set it for 6:30 AM—and to my own surprise, I woke up on the first ring.

That small victory felt monumental, so I celebrated with a simple gesture: buying a new sticky note. I began my day by jotting down my to-do list:

7:00 AM – 9:00 AM:

        • Walk Rambo (my dog)
        • Read 10 pages of Feel Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
        • Schedule and post writings for Offline Thinker
        • Write my journal and track expenses
        • Call the communication officer
        • Draft a collaboration plan with Subin B.

9:30 AM – 5:30 PM:

        • Arrive at the office on time
        • Write scripts
        • Attend meetings
        • Plan the week’s schedule

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM:

        • Meet friends
        • Take a tea break

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM:

        • Have dinner
        • Listen to music
        • Watch a podcast
        • Use social media

 

The morning unfolded seamlessly. I walked Rambo, read 10 pages, scheduled content, reflected on my day in a journal, and logged my expenses. Everything was on track until I reached the most daunting task—calling the communication officer.

 

The Call That Shook Me

This was someone I had met a week earlier. She had shown interest in a potential collaboration and asked me to send a proposal, which I promptly did. But the thought of following up filled me with anxiety.

At 10:00 AM, I gathered my courage and dialed her number. The phone rang for what felt like an eternity. My hands were clammy, and my mouth dry. Finally, she answered, her tone sharp:
“Hello.”

I greeted her politely:
“Namaste, ma’am. This is Susan Chaudhary from Offline Thinker. We met last week, and I sent you a proposal for collaboration. Did you have a chance to review it?”

Her response was curt:
“I don’t know you.”

I tried to jog her memory:
“We discussed working together. You mentioned being positive about moving forward.”

She interrupted coldly:
“No, I haven’t seen it.”

With a flicker of hope, I asked:
“Would you mind reviewing it and letting me know your thoughts?”

Her final words stung:
“I don’t know. Goodbye.”
And she hung up.

The Aftermath

Her frosty demeanor haunted me for the rest of the day. I questioned myself repeatedly. Could I have handled the situation better? Was I too nervous? Did I fail to communicate effectively?

The call’s impact lingered for days. I lost focus at work, skipped meeting my friends, and left several tasks unfinished. I even drafted ten alternative responses I could’ve used, imagining different outcomes. The weight of that brief exchange consumed me.

The Lesson

Thirteen days later, with a clearer mind, I revisited that moment. Here’s what I realized: how you react matters.

The communication officer had a choice. She could have responded calmly and respectfully but chose otherwise. Her reactions didn’t just affect me—they left a lasting impression of her and her organization. It eroded trust and hope, tarnishing what could’ve been a positive collaboration.

This experience taught me an invaluable lesson:

Your reactions shape how others perceive you and the entities you represent. They can either build bridges or burn them.

Moving Forward

As I step into 2025, I’ve adopted a new resolution: React and respond with calmness and kindness, no matter the situation.

Because in the end, every interaction leaves a mark—choose to make it a positive one.

 

 

Read More From Susan Chaudhary:

 

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Susan Chaudhary: founder, and writer at Offline Thinker. A good listener who loves to edit videos, travel, write, and try new hobbies.

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