As millennials increasingly move into management positions, they favor a different way of communicating with their employees, according to a survey released today by executive search firm Korn Ferry International Inc. (NYSE: KFY).

More than half of the professionals surveyed, 55%, said online messaging is the most common way for millennial bosses to communicate with their direct reports, followed by email at 28%. Only 14% said their favored way to communicate is in person, and 3% said via phone.

Millennials were identified as those born between 1981 and 1996.

“The way bosses communicate with their staff has a huge impact on organizational culture,” said Samantha Wallace, Korn Ferry Futurestep North American market leader, technology. “Millennials grew up using screens as their primary form of interaction, and while online messaging and email are effective, efficient tools, face-to-face communication is needed to create an inclusive culture.”

The survey also found that compared with Gen Xers and Baby Boomers, knowing what is coming next is critical for millennial bosses. Nearly three quarters, 74%, said a clear advancement path (for example, the next two positions) is more important for millennial bosses, with 49% saying it is much more important.

“Millennials tend to value clear communication and feedback, and organizational leaders seeking the best and brightest from this generation must work closely with millennial managers to provide well laid-out career paths,” Wallace said.

The Korn Ferry survey of professionals took place in February 2018 and garnered 1,537 responses.