In an age of Slack messages, Zoom meetings, and email overload, the humble phone call can feel like a relic of the past. Many professionals—especially those climbing the corporate ladder—may even pride themselves on being “hard to reach,” mistaking unavailability for importance. I don’t believe this. One of my personal values I’ve kept throughout my career – and one of the simplest, most powerful ways to build trust, strengthen relationships, and lead with integrity – is to always answer the phone.
This isn’t just about courtesy or good manners. In corporate leadership, your responsiveness—or lack thereof—sets the tone for how people perceive your accessibility, your priorities, and your respect for others’ time. Here’s why it matters more than ever.
1. Responsiveness Builds Trust
Trust is the foundation of any successful leadership dynamic. Whether you’re managing a team of five or overseeing a multinational organization, people need to believe that you’re not only competent, but also available. When you consistently answer calls—especially from your direct reports, stakeholders, or clients—you send a clear message: I’m here. I care. I’m listening.
Answering the phone doesn’t just provide immediate communication—it also fosters psychological safety. Team members who feel heard are more likely to speak up, offer solutions, and stay engaged. They know their concerns won’t be lost in a digital black hole or left unread in an inbox for days. Your willingness to answer is a signal that you respect their voice.
2. The Phone Is Still the Fastest Way to Solve Problems
Despite the rise of asynchronous communication tools, some problems are simply too nuanced or time-sensitive to be solved by email. A quick phone call can defuse tension, clarify a misunderstanding, or make a high-stakes decision in minutes. It bypasses the misinterpretations of text and cuts through the ambiguity that can stall progress.
Leaders who pick up the phone when issues arise demonstrate decisiveness and a results-oriented mindset. They understand that sometimes, progress depends on immediacy—not on waiting for the next scheduled meeting or chasing down unread messages. Being available by phone gives you a tactical edge in fast-moving environments.
3. It Models Accountability and Culture
Your habits as a leader ripple through the entire organization. If your team sees you screening calls or consistently going dark during moments of urgency, they will follow suit. On the other hand, when you answer the phone, you model accountability, urgency, and respect. You create a culture that values connection and responsiveness over avoidance and delay.
This is especially important in moments of conflict or crisis. Leaders who only make themselves available when the news is good inadvertently teach their teams to avoid hard conversations. But those who show up, even when it’s uncomfortable, reinforce a culture of honesty and resilience.
4. It Strengthens Relationships in a Digital World
In a corporate landscape that increasingly leans on automation, AI, and asynchronous workflows, the personal touch of a phone call is a differentiator. While written communication is efficient, it can lack the warmth and nuance of voice. Tone, emotion, empathy—these are difficult to translate through text alone.
Answering the phone reinforces relationships in a way no email signature or Slack emoji ever can. It reminds clients, colleagues, and partners that there’s a human on the other end. For leaders, especially those navigating complex stakeholder relationships, this human connection can be the difference between transactional interaction and long-term trust.
5. You Never Know Who Might Be Calling
One of the most practical reasons to always answer the phone? You never know who’s on the other end.
That unexpected number might be a client with an urgent need. A team member about to resign. A new opportunity. A PR emergency. A quick call can be the difference between proactive leadership and reactive cleanup. Leaders who stay open to the unexpected tend to be more adaptable, more informed, and more respected.
There’s also a humility at play here: the recognition that no matter how high you rise, you’re not above showing up for a conversation. That kind of humility pays dividends in loyalty and respect.
6. Boundaries Still Matter—But So Does Intent
Of course, this doesn’t mean sacrificing every boundary. Leaders are human, and not every call needs to be answered at all hours. But “always answer the phone” doesn’t have to be literal—it’s a mindset. It means treating people’s time and urgency with seriousness. It means prioritizing communication. It means ensuring that people know they can count on your response.
If you can’t answer in the moment, return the call. Follow up. Be reachable. Be reliable.
Conclusion: The Phone Is a Leadership Tool
In leadership, the most powerful tools are often the simplest. A calendar full of strategy sessions and innovation talks won’t mean much if your people can’t reach you when it counts. At its core, leadership is relational, and relationships are built in the day-to-day moments—especially the unscheduled ones.
So the next time your phone rings, think twice before you let it go to voicemail. It might not be convenient. It might not be efficient. But it might be exactly what your team needs: a leader who shows up, listens, and leads—one phone call at a time.