Just pick up the phone….(your promotion is waiting)

"I can’t believe she wrote that; it’s so unprofessional to speak to me like that,” a young professional named Emma told me, clearly frustrated.

Emma was working on an important project, and someone on her team, Jason, was not pulling their weight. A follow-up email led to a delayed and snarky reply, escalating into tense exchanges across emails, texts, and Teams messages.

Does this sound familiar?

It’s a common issue in the workplace, often caused by miscommunication through email.

I advised Emma to pick up the phone and call Jason. Initially hesitant, she gave it a try. During their call, Jason explained he was dealing with personal issues and had misunderstood her tone. Emma shared the urgency of the project. They quickly realized it was a misunderstanding.

From that day on, Emma and Jason spoke more frequently, significantly improving their work relationship and effectiveness. What used to take countless emails could now be settled in a quick call.

The art of the phone call is dying as we rely more on digital communication. However, if you want to accelerate your career, you need to be comfortable enough to pick up the phone and talk to people—clients, colleagues, and even your boss. A two-minute phone call can save many email exchanges and strengthen relationships.

Emma’s story is a perfect example. By simply calling Jason, she turned a potentially toxic work relationship into a collaborative and effective partnership.

Is the art of a phone call at work dying? What are your thoughts?

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