The next time you tune in to the daily COVID-19 briefing, study Dr. Fauci’s presence. He is calm, intelligent, well-informed, well-spoken, and free from emotional outbursts. In short, he’s gained Gen Z’s trust not just for where he’s speaking, but how he’s speaking. As you disciple your children on everything from politics to sexuality, remember this: You don’t need to be the loudest or coolest voice in the room. What you need and what they desire is wisdom. A captivating voice bathed in openness, humility, and honesty. A voice centered in prudence, free from binary thinking, defensive postures, and quick judgments. You’ll know you are on the path to finding that voice when you cease the need to be right about everything while losing the desire to control every outcome. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. And in the end, you just might find you’ve earned the right to be heard.
from “the culture translator,” vol. 6, issue 17, april 24, 2020