Why avoiding phone calls is stalling Gen Z careers

A survey of 2,000 Gen Zers and millennials by the app RiseGuide reveals that 42% of respondents ignore phone calls entirely, while 58% script their responses before dialing. The impact is measurable: 78% of those who habitually avoid spoken conversations report losing out on earnings or professional growth. Productivity consultant Jaimee Campanella notes that the convenience of digital messaging allows workers to edit their responses, effectively stalling the development of vital, real-time communication skills. By postponing direct interactions, employees often find that minor issues escalate into larger, more difficult problems.

For some, the competitive job market provides the only incentive to step out of this comfort zone. Adrian Poon, a Gen Z human resources worker, admits he only answers unknown numbers when he is in "job-applying mode." Even then, he avoids cold-calling recruiters, preferring the predictability of scheduled conversations with clear agendas. This reliance on structured communication persists even as many young professionals attempt to curb screen time through digital detoxes or the use of "dumb phones." Ultimately, the preference for text-based interaction remains a significant barrier, as one in ten respondents identified spontaneous phone calls as their most stressful form of communication.