“A doubtful friend is worse than a certain enemy. Let a man be one thing or the other, and we then know how to meet him.”
― Aesop, Aesop's Fables
Recently, I got a call from one of my friend. He wanted to start some snacks outlet and he wanted me to help him with the setup. Once few years back I called him for the setup of same thing in Bangalore. He was very happy with the idea and was over eager to come and he gave me time window when he could be in Bangalore to help me. I took his words and I started the preparation. When I was almost done with my preparation, I called him and asked what will be best day for his ticket to Bangalore. To my surprise, he said that he can't come. This was it. There was no need for further conversation. I had not intention for persuasion. Persuasion could have bring him in but his refusal was enough for me discard every plan and preparation. And I did so without any second thought.
For him it was just simple NO or refusal but for me it was the question on his reliability. Now he is asking me for the help and I am doubting. My wisdom does not allow me to trust on him. He is my friend I can't say much to him. Whenever he calls me I say that I have the trust issue with him let me think about him and his proposal. He just laughs. I don't expect him to laugh on this rather he should be retrospecting the past.
The Reliability could be seems another word from the dictionary but it carries few unmatched weightage. It affects in every part of the life be it professional, social or personal. When you promise or say something then you got to do, period. Even if you failed to achieve expected result for your promise, it does not matter. Few of the action we do every day without realising like promising of call return after sometimes, giving unrealistic time frame to your manager to make him feel good or just promising something out of euphoria and backing out later etc. These things can be avoided with better selection of words or just making a little more effort to fulfil the promise.
Do less promise with others or create less expectation or say straight no but don't let the question mark arise on your reliability.
