I’ve seen my share of business practices come and go. I’ve watched how the world has evolved, but one thing should never change: respect. There’s no clearer way to show respect in business than through good customer service. It’s the backbone of trust, the foundation of any partnership, and frankly, the mark of someone who cares about the people they serve. Yet here we are, in the year 2024, and somehow “ghosting” has become a common occurrence in business. Let me tell you something—it’s not just unprofessional, it’s downright disrespectful.
In my day, when you did business with someone, it wasn’t just about transactions. It was about building relationships. Whether you were selling a product, delivering a service or simply offering advice, you responded to people. You followed through on your promises. That’s what built your reputation, and your reputation is your legacy.
Ghosting, however, has become far too acceptable in today’s world. People who should know better don’t return calls or respond to emails. They leave you hanging, waiting, wondering if they’ve fallen off the face of the earth. Let me be clear—it’s not just bad for business; it’s a slap in the face to anyone you claim to value as a client, colleague, or partner. You see, when you ghost someone, you’re telling them, without words, that their time, effort and contribution mean nothing to you. That’s something I can’t tolerate.
I’ve worked too hard in my life, and I’ve seen too many others work even harder, to let poor customer service become the norm. We fought to be treated with dignity in every arena we entered—whether in the boardroom or the store aisle. I expect nothing less from those in business today.
So, to anyone in the habit of ghosting, I offer this simple piece of advice: show up. Answer that email. Return that phone call. Even if the answer is “no” or “not now,” have the decency to communicate. Because if you don’t, people will remember—not for what you did, but for how you didn’t show up. In the end, that’s how you lose, not just business, but respect.
Let’s keep customer service at the heart of everything we do. It’s time we get back to basics.