Anxiety also varies according to the nature of the call. Many people say it is easier to receive calls than make them, as the power balance is in their favour. But Jacobs disagrees.
"You have more choice and control in a proactive mode than a responsive one,as you are the one phoning to talk about something," he says.
Another flashpoint is the call to someone in authority, over you or an outcome.
"I'm a confident talker, but when I need something from someone then it becomes too important and I mess up," says one phone avoider.
You can't transmit unless you can receive, so learning to listen actively, particularly in the scariest of calls, and pausing after the respondent has finished speaking before you answer, can create calm.
The truly phone resistant might seek professional guidance. Ruth Gower-Smith, course trainer at MRSK Business Training, designs and runs telephone skills workshops to increase proficiency and confidence.
"We get everyone on our courses, from receptionists to MDs who realize the importance of dealing with clients, customers or suppliers well, to ensure the business is portrayed at its best," she says.
"There are simple techniques to ease anxiety. Asking if you are talking to the right person, for example, to avoid the awkwardness of talking to the wrong person. Also asking whether it is a good time to talk -- verbalizing what you would normally determine by visual cues," she says.
According to Gower-Smith, tone is far more persuasive than the words themselves -- which should give the blank minds and gabblers some relief. Other tricks include standing for difficult phonecalls, clarifying the other person's points to ensure understanding, and advance preparation with written key points.
But if you only remember two things, make it these tips: smile when talking for vocal warmth and pick up the phone and practice.
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