I really dislike using the telephone. I really do. I am visually oriented, and long phone conversations tend to give me a headache as I try to focus just on the sound of the voice, and not be distracted by other stuff around me. Which is why phone calls from me tend to be short, sweet, and to the point.
Nonetheless, I’m making it a point to call each of my staff at least once a week to touch bases as to what’s going on, give them a chance to vent in a way that e-mail won’t support, discuss careers stuff and the weather and what about those Dodgers and all that jazz.
I have 30 minutes scheduled, and expect it will run 15.
I dislike doing it, but it’s one reason they pay me the big bucks.
One problem: I just discovered that one of my staff evidently hates using the phone, and is less communicative over it, than I am.
So … maybe just 5 minutes for that call.