It takes just a phone call to make someone feel relevant.
It takes just a phone call to let others know that they are on your mind.
It takes just a phone call to show respect for someone.
It takes just a phone call to let others know that you care.
It takes just a phone call to say: thank you for your efforts.
It takes just a phone call to make someone feel worthwhile.
It takes just a phone call to make someone feel visible.

In a world where people are feeling uncertain about their future, where people are losing their jobs and their homes, and where people are looking for a means to provide for their families—in a world where we all feel some level of vulnerability, it takes just a phone call to make a difference.

We live in a society where digital communication has transformed the way we interact with each other. People are bombarded by emails  24/7. Reacting to this constant influx of information is very time consuming and, as a result, we scrutinize everything to avoid finding our “inbox” full of garbage. The unfortunate outcome of this behavior is that we are losing some of our ability to empathize with others. We are becoming more desensitized and detached from those we care about,  and unknowingly paying the price.

During a presentation to a group of 50 senior managers, I asked a simple question: How long does it take for you to return a phone call from a friend who lost their job, a colleague in need of help, or a vendor who is following up on a proposal they sent in response to your request? Not to my surprise, the average response time was eight to ten days and some even admitted to not returning the calls at all. There were plenty of excuses: being very busy, too many things on their mind, the purpose of the call was not very important to them, or they did not have anything new to report.

All excuses may sound reasonable from their perspective, but what about the other side? What is the impact you leave on others when you disregard their call? Maybe the excuse was acceptable the first time, but what about the second time, or third time? What does that say about you? What does it say about your level of empathy and respect for others’ efforts? What does it do to your credibility?

If you think about it, you have probably been on the other side, too—the side that reached out and wants to hear from a friend, a family member, a client, or a colleague. Next time you hesitate to return a phone call, take a moment to put yourself back in those shoes and remember how it feels to not get that call back.

As human beings, we have a need to feel included, relevant, valued, respected, and loved. Those needs became more acute in times of uncertainty and vulnerability, when the loss of self-worth is linked to the loss of jobs, the loss of homes, the loss of retirement savings and, for some, the loss of dreams. When depression is not just an economic description but also a prevailing emotional condition in our society.

So, back to the beginning: it takes just a phone call to make someone feel better. It takes just a phone call to maintain a relationship. It takes just a phone call to maintain your credibility at work, with friends and family, and as a leader. It takes just a phone call to gain the loyalty and respect of others.

Don’t postpone, don’t avoid, don’t make excuses…just pick up the phone and call.