Every year, my team and I attend the leadership summit and it is always refreshing, challenging and recharging for me. Easily the best leadership material in a conference that is out there. I try to share some of the highlights I took from each session.

Here are some thoughts from the session with Jason Dorsey on understanding generational differences:

• The #1 trend that shapes generations is parenting. 
• Parents shape their kids more than any other group.
• Entitlement is a learned behavior.
• Generations are driven by clues.
• The #2 trend has a natural relationship with technology that is driven by our age. 
• Our beliefs about technology shape if we think something works.
• Technology is only new if you remember what is was before, otherwise it what you have always known.
• You will see the difference in generations across location and geography. 

What do you need to know about millennials?

• The largest generation in the workforce.
• Millennials hit markers later than boomers and it changes how they look at stability, benefits, work/life balance.
• The millennial generations are splitting into two generations.
• At age 30, you split and don’t relate to your generation.
• Millennials aren’t tech-savvy, we are tech-dependent and it changes everything we do.

What do you need to know about Gen X?

• Gen X is taking care of their parents and their kids.
• Gen X is naturally skeptical.
• Gen X is the glue in the organization.

What do you need to know about baby boomers?

• Baby boomers measure work ethic in hours per week.
• If they can’t see you, you aren’t working.
• There are no shortcuts to success. You must pay your dues. They believe in policies and protocol.

What do you need to know about Gen Z?

• Gen Z’s parents are older millennials or Gen X.
• Gen Z saw their parents struggle through the recession, so they are very wise about their money.
• Some of Gen Z will leapfrog some millennials in the workforce.

What to do as a leader?

• Provide specific examples of the performance you expect.
• Most leaders message in a linear format. Millennials and Gen Z do not think linear, they are outcome-driven. Show them the end first.
• You have to provide quick hit feedback.