Be a Speakerphone Champion

Take almost all your calls over speakerphone, and encourage your teammates to do so, too.

This will help everybody know everything your small, busy team is working on.

Here are a few other reasons why you should take more calls on speaker:

Someone else may catch something you missed. People like e-mail because you can always refer back to the written record. Over the phone, I better connect with people and have richer discussions. In the absence of a written record, more team members can listen, understand, and remember actionable information for later.
Avoid single points of failure. You don’t know if or when another team member may have a chance to apply the information, so give them the opportunity. At the very least, it’s the difference between the team’s graphic designer telling our boss, “Dave took a call then ran out to the JOC,” and “The Deputy J3 called about a situation in Location X, and Dave went to a 1500 conditions update.”
Give your team opportunities to contribute. I love my team members who mosey over and say a quick “hi” to whomever I’ve got on the phone. Often, someone will overhear an issue they’re familiar with and offer their perspective or context. Team members don’t wait for me to invite them into a conversation – just like our in-person meetings at the conference table, they’re empowered to listen in and join when they have something to say.
You will talk differently over speakerphone. I project my voice. I stand straighter with my head up, instead of hunched over the receiver. I can smile more and sound happier over the phone. My hands and arms are free to move naturally with my voice. It feels like a face-to-face conversation.
It makes the office active. I want people to feel the energy when they walk in. Things like standing desks, candles and the fish tank help the atmosphere, but it’s really about conversation and engagement. Calls on speaker are one small way we help our guests – and team members – get ready for a dynamic experience.