Or just don't call them back in the first place. The onus should never be on you.
As a rule, I just don't pick up my phone anymore (it's always in Do Not Disturb mode, the best thing Apple ever implemented).
People I work with know that email is the fastest and best way to get ahold of me. If I really need to have a live talk with someone, we can schedule a time to meet for coffee or talk over Skype.
If it's really important (i.e. taxes or something), I figure they'll leave a voicemail (I still listen to those) or that it'll get to me by the mail in some form.
The phone is a completely obsolete communication medium. It's the technological equivalent of jumping behind someone and screaming "Hey I need your attention now, drop everything that you are doing and talk to me". 30 years ago, when only your close friends and family called, the compromise was worth it. In 2014, when most calls are telemarketing BS, it's just outdated.
As a rule, I just don't pick up my phone anymore (it's always in Do Not Disturb mode, the best thing Apple ever implemented).
People I work with know that email is the fastest and best way to get ahold of me. If I really need to have a live talk with someone, we can schedule a time to meet for coffee or talk over Skype. If it's really important (i.e. taxes or something), I figure they'll leave a voicemail (I still listen to those) or that it'll get to me by the mail in some form.
The phone is a completely obsolete communication medium. It's the technological equivalent of jumping behind someone and screaming "Hey I need your attention now, drop everything that you are doing and talk to me". 30 years ago, when only your close friends and family called, the compromise was worth it. In 2014, when most calls are telemarketing BS, it's just outdated.