In today’s world, dominated by AI, texting, and endless Teams chats, it feels like actually talking to someone on the phone has become an ancient practice. But here’s my take: nothing quite replaces the value of a real conversation—outside of in-person collaboration. Yet, somehow, picking up the phone has become the exception rather than the rule.
There’s a noticeable reluctance, even an avoidance, of making phone calls. Call me old-fashioned, but I believe something important gets lost when we only communicate through a screen. You can’t fully capture tone, inflection, or intent in a text—not to mention the nuances of human emotion that simply don’t translate through the tap of a keyboard (emojis only get you so far, right?). I’d much rather have a focused 10-minute conversation that ends with clear next steps than spend time piecing together a 500-word essay through texts or emails.
A recent CNN article shed light on the growing epidemic of loneliness, especially among younger generations. No, I’m not saying phone calls will cure all, but they can help bridge the gap. There’s something comforting about hearing someone’s voice, about making that personal connection—even if it’s just over the phone.
So, next time you’re about to type out a long message or email, take a second and ask yourself: Would a quick phone call be more productive? Would it be more meaningful? Chances are, the answer is yes.
Brian Phelps 