Are you talkin' to me?
Updated: Jul 21, 2021
The number one complaint at work is co-workers who talk too loudly on the phone. You know the one, or maybe you ARE the one. Humans have an involuntary tendency to match our voice to the noise level around us, so we must make a conscious effort to lower our voice volume especially in shared spaces.
Ask a trusted co-worker if you are speaking to loudly on the phone. This is an easy, honest way to know how you are impacting those around you.
Watch your co-workers’ reactions when you are on the phone, do they have difficulty carrying on their work or conversations? Do people leave the room, put on headphones, or close their door?
Try answering the phone in a softer than usual voice. You can always speak louder, if necessary, it’s more difficult to dial back.