{"id":17650,"date":"2026-04-02T09:16:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T09:16:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4result.be\/2026\/04\/02\/why-phone-calls-are-becoming-rare-and-why-we-must-take-action\/"},"modified":"2026-05-11T10:40:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T10:40:55","slug":"why-phone-calls-are-becoming-rare-and-why-we-must-take-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4result.be\/en\/2026\/04\/02\/why-phone-calls-are-becoming-rare-and-why-we-must-take-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Why phone calls are becoming rare and why we must take action"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Why phone calls are becoming rare and why we must take action<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Recent research by AXA Insurance and Trendwolves shows that nearly five out of ten Belgian youths (49%) between the ages of 18 and 25 deliberately avoid phone calls<\/strong>. They prefer sending a message or email, primarily due to anxiety, uncertainty, and the feeling of not knowing what to say or how to end a conversation. <\/p>

This applies not only to outgoing<\/strong> calls, but also to incoming calls<\/strong>. More than half keep their ringtone off by default, and one in five never answers. Furthermore, voicemail is rarely used anymore<\/strong>: many people no longer have a greeting, do not leave messages themselves when they cannot reach someone, and hardly ever listen to recorded messages. <\/p>

We recognize this pattern when speaking with clients. The barrier to making phone calls is rising<\/strong>. This is true for both young professionals and experienced employees who communicate extensively via written channels. <\/p>

It is a current issue with a significant impact<\/strong> on collaboration, customer experience, and commercial results.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Where does this fear of calling come from?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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<\/p>

Clark & Wells conducted research into how social anxiety develops and maintains itself.<\/p>

We see the same mechanisms at work with telephone anxiety:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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  1. Fear of a negative event <\/strong>\u201cThis conversation is going to go wrong.\u201d
    People predict a negative outcome before the conversation has even started.<\/li>
  2. Self-focused attention <\/strong>\u201cHow do I sound? Am I being weird?\u201d
    During the conversation, attention shifts inward, causing people to judge themselves more harshly than necessary.<\/li>
  3. Fear of negative evaluation <\/strong>\u201cThey are going to think I’m stupid.\u201d
    The fear lies less in the conversation itself and more in what the other person might think.<\/li>
  4. Avoidance <\/strong>\u201cI’ll call later… tomorrow.\u201d
    Short-term relief, long-term loss. The barrier only becomes higher. <\/li>
  5. Safety behavior <\/strong>\u201cI’ll call… but I’ll play it safe.\u201d
    For example: over-preparing, only calling people you already know, or not daring to ask fully for what is needed.<\/li>
  6. Post-event over-analysis <\/strong>\u201cShould I have said that differently?\u201d
    By ruminating on the call, you reinforce the anxiety for the next one.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Why should we actually be calling?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Calling is a dialogue. Email is a monologue. Despite all the alternatives, calling remains one of the most powerful forms of communication at work. Not just for speed, but primarily because a dialogue allows for clarification and the understanding of nuances. <\/p>

    Research demonstrates this time and again:<\/p>