One of the things I truly enjoy about the work we do is the chance to talk to business leaders across different industries. These conversations often lead to insightful reflections, and in one such recent interaction, a leader brought up something that stayed with me.
As teams become more geographically dispersed and technology becomes a natural part of how we work, much of the interaction between leaders and their teams happens virtually, most often through a smartphone.
Traditional leadership programs continue to focus heavily on in-person communication. Yet, today’s leaders must also develop a parallel set of skills to lead effectively through phone calls, chats, and video calls. I call this smartphone leadership, the ability to lead intentionally through a small device that now plays a huge role in how we work.
Here are four practical strategies I’ve picked up from leaders who have mastered this skill. And although these tips apply to virtual interactions, they are equally relevant to in-person leadership.
1. Be Available, Genuinely
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This lesson did not come from the leaders themselves but from their team members. Many people shared that their most trusted leaders were the ones who always made themselves available.
One leader described it this way:
“No matter how packed my day is, if I miss a call from someone on my team, I call them back before I respond to anything else.”
That level of availability may seem simple, but it sends a powerful message. It tells your team, you are a priority. It builds trust and dependability, especially in hybrid or remote environments where face-to-face reassurance is limited.
Being available is not just about picking up the phone. It is also about being mentally present. Whether it is a five-minute check-in or a crisis call, your full attention matters.
2. Decide Quickly, With Confidence
Leadership in the digital age comes with its share of ambiguity. Many times, leaders must make decisions without having all the background. Delaying action can often cause more confusion or conflict than an imperfect decision made in good faith.
One finance leader shared,
“I have been on calls where I had no context, but I still had to decide within ten minutes. The speed of the business environment does not wait for perfection.”
This is not about being reckless. It is about trusting your judgment and taking action when needed. In fact, one of the best uses of a phone call is to bring clarity to an issue. A well-timed call can defuse misunderstandings and save your team from long, unproductive email exchanges.
We have seen many effective leaders stop heated email chains in their tracks with a single, calm, decisive phone call. Talking directly not only resolves things faster but also prevents further misinterpretation.
3. Listen With Intention
Listening is a core leadership skill, but it becomes even more critical when your only tools are voice and tone. Without body language and facial expressions, how do you know what is really being said?
The best smartphone leaders I know are excellent listeners. They know when to speak and, more importantly, when to stay quiet. They ask themselves, is this a moment for advice or simply a moment for empathy?
Many leaders jump in too quickly with solutions when the person on the other end simply wants to be heard. By stepping in too soon, they unintentionally shut down the conversation.
Active listening requires patience. It also requires you to be emotionally present. A pause, a question, or even silence can create space for the other person to open up. That space is where trust lives.
4. Be Consistent and Clear
One of the most underrated aspects of leadership, whether virtual or in person, is consistency. People want to know what to expect from their leaders. This applies just as much to smartphone etiquette.
Some leaders make themselves available 24/7. Others set boundaries, such as not taking calls after 8 PM. Interestingly, both approaches work as long as they are communicated clearly and practiced consistently.
When your team knows what to expect, they do not second-guess your availability. They plan their communication better. And that clarity builds psychological safety.
Consistency also means following through. If you say you will call someone back, do it. If you agree to review something by Friday, make sure it happens. Your reliability in the small things is what earns your credibility over time.
Bonus Tip: Add a Human Touch
Smartphone leadership is not about replicating a meeting room on your phone. It is about using the technology as a bridge to connection.
Sometimes, that means checking in with someone without an agenda. Other times, it means celebrating a win over a quick call. A message that says “I was thinking about your suggestion yesterday” can mean the world to someone.
Leadership through a smartphone is still leadership. Your warmth, empathy, and presence matter just as much, maybe even more, when delivered through a screen.
Recap: 4 Tips for Leading with a Smartphone
- Be Available – Prioritize your team’s outreach, especially in virtual settings.
- Decide Quickly – Action often matters more than perfection.
- Listen Carefully – Do not rush to advise. Sometimes people just want to be heard.
- Stay Consistent – Clear boundaries and reliable habits create team trust.
A Final Word
In today’s fast-changing workplace, where many teams work remotely or across time zones, your voice may be the only leadership presence your team experiences in a day. That makes how you show up on your smartphone more important than ever.
If you are looking to strengthen your leadership impact in a digital world, you may also enjoy reading What Makes a Good Leader or The Power of Communication Through Facilitation.
I would love to hear your reflections. What has worked for you when leading virtually or managing through your phone?
Join the conversation and let us learn from one another. Let us keep leading with intention, one call at a time.
