Leading Tomorrow
  • Home
  • Areas of Interest
    • Blog
    • About
    • Testimonials
    • Resources
  • Podcast
  • Speaking
    • Education Topics
    • Corporate Topics
    • Faith-Based Topics
    • Missions and Ministry
    • Military Topics
  • Coaching
  • Shop
  • Contact

BLOG

What Is The Best Gift For GenZ?

12/7/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
I was recently presenting to a group of Gen Z college students. In discussing challenges and barriers they face, one of them commented, “the older generation frowns on us.” While I have heard similar comments in the past, there was a deep sadness that struck me in this statement. Generational misunderstandings are not new, but today young people desperately need hope and encouragement. They need trusted leaders and mentors to believe in them and tell them so. 

Dr. Tim Allchin wrote an article titled The Power of Encouragement. In it he discusses benefits of encouragement. He explains that encouraging words create results that are positive. In my presentations, I often get the question, “aren’t we just catering to young people’s sense of entitlement when we give them encouragement instead of correction?” Dr. Allchin indicates, “Some might wonder the danger of speaking too much encouragement when they feel like criticism might have been more warranted.  However, we never lose when we give sincere encouragement, even though other types of conversations are needed as well in healthy relationships.  If we aren’t in a pattern of regular and sincere encouragement, other types of hard conversations will have a lesser impact, because we do not have a consistent track record of being an encourager. Encouragement is a more powerful motivator than criticism every day of the week…if our words are going to be valuable to others, we need to learn to be a wise reprover, one that reflects a balance of grace and truth with a combination of hope and help.” 
 
Relationships with a lot of criticism and little encouragement usually fail to bring great value. Dr. Allchin explains, “If you want to help others grow, practice encouragement ten times as often as you bring a word of correction.” We don’t lose by encouraging others, even if they are not ready to hear correction yet. Young people learn to trust those who are sincere and speak the truth in love. It takes courage to change, and one of the greatest gifts we can give a young person is the confidence that they can really grow, change, and make a positive impact. 

It is interesting to consider how different our families, organizations, and society would be if we were committed to encourage more than we criticize. As we head into the holiday season, one of the greatest gifts we can give the young people in our lives is that of encouragement; for them to know that we “smile” rather than “frown” on them. For more on the best gifts we can give Gen Z and Gen Alpha, check out this month’s episode of The Leading Tomorrow Podcast.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Dr. Jolene Erlacher is a wife, mommy, author, speaker, college instructor and coffee drinker who is passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders for effective service!

    ​To view more articles by Jolene, visit sites below:
    Go. Serve. Love
    Missio Nexus
    Missionary Mobilization

    Archives

    June 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    August 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    September 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    July 2017
    March 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    April 2016

    Categories

    All
    Church
    Coaching
    Communication
    Culture
    Education
    Generation Z
    Leadership
    Mentoring
    Millennials
    Parenting
    Relationships
    Social Media
    Technology

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Areas of Interest
    • Blog
    • About
    • Testimonials
    • Resources
  • Podcast
  • Speaking
    • Education Topics
    • Corporate Topics
    • Faith-Based Topics
    • Missions and Ministry
    • Military Topics
  • Coaching
  • Shop
  • Contact