A conversation coach known as "The Phone Lady" says phone call anxiety is now prevalent among young professionals, a shift she has observed over the past decade. Mary Jane Copps, who has coached workplace communication for two decades, noted that younger employees often struggle with uncertain, spontaneous dialogue. The problem, she explained, has become more pronounced in recent years as text-based communication has supplanted voice calls.
Copps said that about eight to 10 years ago, she began seeing a marked increase in clients reporting discomfort with real-time conversations. The trend is most visible among younger workers entering the workforce, who she said lack practice handling unstructured verbal exchanges. Her observations suggest a generational shift in communication comfort levels.
Executives recognize the value of strong communication skills but often fail to invest in training staff, according to Copps. The gap between recognizing the problem and acting on it leaves many employees without the tools to manage phone conversations effectively. Copps argues that brief, improvised calls can be more efficient than lengthy email threads.
The coach emphasized that phone anxiety is not limited to young workers but appears across generations. However, she sees the issue as especially acute for new entrants to the workforce who have grown up with digital messaging as their primary mode of interaction. Without intervention, she warns, this trend could affect workplace productivity and collaboration.
Copps recommended that companies provide structured opportunities for employees to practice verbal communication. She believes that with coaching, most people can overcome their discomfort and improve their professional interactions.