Courage Begins With the First Call

February 4, 2026|Mary Jane Copps

A man sitting at a desk in an office looks at his phone with a concerned expression, with a laptop open in front of him.

Think about the last call you hesitated to make. Not because you didn’t know the number, but because you weren’t sure what might happen once someone answered.

Most people don’t fear the phone itself. They fear the unknown on the other end. Will the other person sound rushed? Will you lose your train of thought? Will there be an uncomfortable pause?

These are very real concerns. And this is where courage comes into play.

Mark Twain once described it this way: “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” Courage doesn’t mean feeling calm before every call. It means taking a small step forward, even when the nerves are still there.

Here are a few gentle ways to build courage and confidence on the phone:

  • Prepare your first sentence. That opening line gives you something solid to stand on. Once you say it, the conversation begins to move.
  • Expect pauses and welcome them. Silence gives you time to think and gives the other person space to respond.
  • Lower the stakes. You are not performing. You are simply having a conversation.
  • Celebrate the conversation, not the outcome. Each call strengthens your skill and makes the next one easier.

TRY THIS: This week, choose one call you have been avoiding. Make the call and focus only on the conversation itself, not the result.

READ MORE: Lack of Confidence = Miscommunication

Courage grows the same way confidence does. One call at a time.

Want to learn more about phone fear/anxiety and how it’s impacting your sales and customer service? Let’s have a conversation: https://calendly.com/thephonelady

Real-time conversation skills directly impact leadership effectiveness, customer experience, collaboration, and business growth.

As communication becomes increasingly digital, many professionals spend less time practicing and using the skills required for clear, confident and effective real-time conversations. Explore new options for improvement.

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To celebrate 20 years of The Phone Lady, we're revisiting what truly makes communication meaningful. Every second week, we'll share a bit of wisdom to remind us that small shifts in how we speak, listen, and connect make a big difference. (You'll also receive access to our Exclusive Resources, including 4 ebooks.)

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