Physical Address: Jamil King Ministries
8745 Gary Burns Dr. Suite 160 #352, Frisco TX 75034
How to Lead in a World That Talks Back
There was a time when respect meant silence.
You didn’t talk back. You didn’t question leadership. You didn’t challenge systems.
You just… followed.
That worked for a while, especially in survival-based cultures, where order and structure were essential.
But today, we’re living in a different world.
Now, respect sounds like dialogue.
It looks like asking questions, seeking understanding, and calling out contradictions—not to destroy trust, but to protect it.
And for many older leaders, that feels like disrespect.
For many younger followers, silence feels like abuse.
So what do you do when the definition of honor itself changes?
The Shift in Culture
Older generations were taught:
- “Respect your elders.”
- “Don’t question authority.”
- “Stay in your place.”
Younger generations are learning:
- “Use your voice.”
- “Challenge toxic systems.”
- “Ask why before you say yes.”
Neither approach is entirely wrong.
The tension is that we’re using the same word “respect” but speaking different languages.
Small Story: The Staff Meeting That Changed Everything
In a mid-sized church in the South, a Gen Z media director questioned why the church didn’t post anything about mental health awareness during the national month of recognition.
An elder responded, “We don’t follow culture. We follow Christ.”
The young leader calmly replied,
“But if people in our congregation are suffering silently, shouldn’t we at least acknowledge it so they know we care?”
The room got tense.
Some saw it as rebellion.
Others saw it as responsibility.
But what happened next was surprising.
The senior pastor took a breath and said,
“You’re right. We’ve been silent on this too long. Let’s fix it.”
That moment didn’t weaken his leadership.
It deepened the trust in the room.
Because when people are heard, they’re more likely to stay committed.
Respect isn’t silence anymore. It’s mutual listening.
Biblical Insight: When the Prophet Listens
In Numbers 27:5–7, a group of women—Zelophehad’s daughters—approached Moses to challenge a rule about land inheritance.
They spoke up in a male-dominated system and said:
“Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan just because he had no sons?”
Moses didn’t shut them down.
He didn’t say, “Stay in your place.”
He took the matter to God—and God sided with them.
- God affirmed their voice.
- Moses modeled humility.
- Leadership expanded to include the unheard.
That’s what respect looks like in a modern world:
Leadership that listens.
Why This Matters Now
The church, the workplace, the home—every sphere is shifting.
And if we want to build multi-generational movements,
we must stop demanding silence and start cultivating safe spaces for dialogue.
That doesn’t mean we compromise truth.
It means we communicate truth in a way that invites conversation, not fear.
Reflection Questions
- Do I equate questioning with disrespect?
- How do I respond when someone younger challenges a long-standing tradition or rule?
- What would it look like for me to lead with confidence and curiosity?
Call to Action
Respect isn’t dead.
It’s evolving.
If you want to lead in this next season, don’t just ask for respect—model it.
- Invite voices to the table.
- Make room for feedback.
- Be open to being wrong.
Because real leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room.
It’s about being the one who listens… and grows.
