Last month, Kamber spoke to a wonderful group of professionals who were eager to learn about generational gaps in today’s workforce, and they asked lots of great questions. After seeing data about communication preferences, in which Gen Z’s preference for phones was unsurprisingly high, an audience member said, “In my experience, Gen Z workers’ preference for their phones does not translate to actual phone calls. They really struggle with phone conversations and would much prefer texting. How do we solve this problem?”
If you’re asking for our advice, starting a book club could be a good start.
While we’re joking when we give that answer, it’s only half-way unserious. The truer answer is this: starting conversations is one of the most important skills in bridging generational differences.
Breaking the Generational Ice
To return to the audience member’s question, it’s important to consider why a Gen Zer may struggle with phone calls: lack of practice. Consider the sheer number of phone calls many of us (think: Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials) made growing up—appointments, reservations, take-out orders, and maybe most commonly, calling our friends’ home numbers in the pre-cell phone era. In 2025, there’s an app for every single one of these (and direct lines to our friends). Not to mention the fact that many Gen Z team members finished their education—and started their careers—in the era of Covid-19, meaning that much of their connection to professors, advisors, administrators, and bosses was written and asynchronous. With all of that in mind, it’s easy to understand why phone calls, which many of us consider a “common sense” and innate skill, is one that many Gen Zers consider daunting.
Is the Gen Z team member in your office afraid of making phone calls? We can’t say, because individual experiences vary… but this is the part where we’d reiterate that common sense is no longer common—and in this case, common skills are no longer common. So, if you ever get the sense that your direct report is hesitant to make phone calls, our honest recommendation would be to ask: How do you feel about making phone calls? What’s your experience with calling strangers? And if their job requires it… Can we practice this skill together?
Of course, making phone calls is just one example. The point is this: if you’re noticing hesitation with a skill you see as simple or innate, start asking questions.
Creating conversations between generations—about our unique experiences, strengths, growth points, values, and priorities—aren’t always the easiest to start, and if that feels daunting to you, then you’re in good company. To discuss generational differences is ultimately a practice in admitting our blind spots, which isn’t something we tend to embrace in a professional environment. However, creating a two-way street of transparency is a major step toward not only a stronger relationship with your direct report, but is perhaps the beginning of an updated onboarding process or a professional development offering helmed by your team. Conversations about generational differences are difficult to breach, but they are the necessary catalyst of impactful culture change.
Need Help? We’ve Got You
In Q4 of 2025, Kamber launched her first book, The Generational Advantage, and while it was written for business leaders, one of the most rewarding aspects of the months that followed was the outpouring of response from teams who shared that the book created invaluable conversations among their team. As a response, we’ve created a Book Club Discussion Question resource to pair with The Generational Advantage—one that is meant to guide team discussions and start the very conversations you need to create trust and bring out the best in your people.
At the end of the day, these small, “common” skills are ones that impact the bottom line. Whether it’s making phone calls, editing PDFs, leading client calls, or posting on social media, the sum of each of our professional careers is built on the small skills we gain over time. When you sense a skill gap in your teammate, lead with curiosity and start investing.
Need some help breaking the ice? Download our Book Club Discussion Question resource here.
Did you like this week’s post? Then you might like these posts below.
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What’s Next?
If your team is navigating generational friction, stalled performance, or culture misalignment—it’s time to take action.
At GPS, we’re on a mission to help organizations unlock clarity, communication, and performance across every generation. And we don’t just talk about results—we deliver them in 90 days or less.
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