By Dr. Mary C. Kelly, Economist, Leadership Expert, and U.S. Navy Commander (Ret.)

It’s easy to hide behind email, text messages, and Slack notifications. While these tools are efficient, they often lack the human touch that builds trust, strengthens relationships, and drives long-term business success. As a leader, one of the simplest, yet most powerful habits you can adopt is making three intentional phone calls every single day.

These aren’t sales calls, and they aren’t about closing deals. They’re about connecting, listening, and showing that you care. Here’s why these three calls matter — and how to make them work for you.

1. Call a Current Client or Customer: Strengthen Relationships

Your first call of the day should go to someone who is already doing business with you. This isn’t about upselling or pitching the next big thing. It’s a simple check-in to let them know you appreciate them.

Why it matters:

• Keeps your company top-of-mind without being pushy.
• Builds loyalty by showing genuine concern for their success.
• Opens the door to valuable feedback you might not otherwise hear.
• Helps you identify opportunities to improve your service before issues arise.

What to say:

• “I just wanted to check in and see how things are going. Is there anything we can do to make your experience better?”
• “I appreciate your partnership. How are things on your end this week?”

Pro Tip:
Listen more than you talk. If they share a win, celebrate it with them. If they share a frustration, take notes and take action.

2. Call a Partner, Vendor, or Prospective Customer: Expand Your Network

The second call should be outward-focused, directed toward a partner, vendor, or potential new customer. These are the people who help your business run smoothly — or those you’d like to work with in the future.

Why it matters:

• Strengthens strategic partnerships.
• Opens doors to new ideas, resources, and collaborations.
• Helps you stay informed about industry trends and opportunities.
• Builds trust before you ever ask for anything in return.

What to say:

• “I wanted to touch base and see how we can better support each other’s goals.”
• “I read something recently that made me think of you — how’s everything going with your team?”

Pro Tip:
Keep this call casual and focused on mutual success. When people know you genuinely care, they are far more likely to think of you when opportunities arise.

3. Call an Employee or Team Member: Build Connection and Culture

Your third call is to someone on your team. Many employees feel overlooked or underappreciated, and a simple but genuine phone call from a leader makes a huge impact.

Why it matters:

• Boosts morale and engagement.
• Builds trust and rapport beyond emails and team meetings.
• Gives you insight into challenges before they become problems.
• Shows your people that they matter to the organization.

What to say:

• “I wanted to thank you personally for the work you’ve been doing — it doesn’t go unnoticed.”
• “How are you doing? Anything I can do to make your work easier this week?”

Pro Tip:
Don’t wait for performance reviews or big projects to recognize people. A timely word of encouragement is one of the best retention tools you have.

The Power of Consistency

Three phone calls a day may not seem like much, but over time, the impact is extraordinary.

• Three calls per day = 15 calls per week = 60 calls per month = 720 stronger connections per year.

That’s 720 opportunities to:

• Show your clients you care
• Build your network
• Foster a thriving company culture

These conversations don’t just create business growth — they create trust.

Your greatest asset isn’t technology, products, or processes. It’s people. Taking a few minutes every day to make these three calls sends a powerful message:

“You matter. I care. And we’re in this together.”

If you want to grow your business, retain your best clients, and inspire your team, start with three simple phone calls. No agenda, no pitch — just genuine connection.