By Charlotte Nichols, Harvey & Hugo
Polling shows most of us would rather email a colleague than chat – even when they are in the same room – while one in six will go an entire day without speaking to a workmate.
But there’s an even bigger storm on the horizon. Gen Z.
Some starting careers struggle to even talk on the phone. One uni lecturer told me how students were applauded by peers for successfully making a practice call.
As a PR expert, I’ve spent almost 20 years helping people communicate.
At Harvey & Hugo, we regularly prep clients for TV and radio interviews deliver bespoke media training.
But as the Britain’s next generation of professionals’ flounder on phones, and struggle with the office dynamic, we’ve realised there’s a need for that training to be offered to employers.
That’s why we are now offering training packages to companies to help their young staff (or even their older ones) master both the art of office communication, but also the soft skills to help them thrive at work.
How to network and mingle. Body language. Chit-chat. And yes, how to even an answer a phone.
Now I’m fully aware communication evolves.
Nobody is suggesting we revert to becoming Luddites.
Almost 150 years ago, The Times ran an editorial arguing that Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone would cripple communication by making life too frantic and intrusive.
We fear the new, and we resist change. That’s human nature.
Emails, WhatsApp, mobiles – even their harshest critic would struggle to seriously find no merit in them.
They are reactive, fast and efficient – but there must be more.
And as our lives become increasingly digital, we risk losing something fundamental: the ability to communicate without a screen between us.
The evidence is already staring us straight in the face.
YouGov found that 58 per cent of Brits lack confidence in a new social group. Less than a fifth think they are good networkers.
And this isn’t simply a young person’s problem.
A survey of more than 2,000 UK professionals found that 62 per cent get nervous before making a presentation.
Perhaps more concerningly, a quarter admit they don’t contribute to meetings – despite having something useful to say.
That’s why we want to help.
Our team understands communication. Stories and messaging are our bread and butter.
I’m lucky to often be asked to host events or deliver in-person training. Last month, I delivered a session on how to communicate to a room of graduates in Manchester.
More of this is needed. You owe it to your young employees, and to your business.
Firstly, many of these traits are the byproduct of a generation raised on screens in turbulent times. Those now entering the workplace – or preparing to – grew up with circumstances unlike any previous generation.
Raised online, shielded and shaped by a pandemic and lockdowns, they probably deserve a bit of slack.
But we also need to recognise that communication is a skill – one that can be practiced and developed – and one that can significantly enhance your business.
And we don’t expect to walk into a gym for the first time and lift the heaviest weight – so why do we expect young people to walk into a workplace and instinctively know how to network, present, pick up the phone and, yes, even make conversation?
We can develop that, not with more tech, but through human contact. So, teach your team to communicate clearly and confidently – or, better yet, ask the professionals.
As in this ever-changing world, the ability to communicate clearly and confidently may become one of the most valuable workplace skills of all.
www.harveyandhugo.com