Whether you missed Jason Dorsey’s session, Zconomy: Insights & Practical Strategies to Engage Gen Z, or are looking to revisit the highlights, his powerful session unpacked how Generation Z is transforming the workforce and marketplace—and what today’s leaders need to know to connect with this pivotal generation.
The Core Forces Shaping Gen Z: Parenting and Technology
Dorsey highlights two dominant influences shaping Gen Z’s worldview and workplace behavior: parenting and technology.
Parenting: Parenting is the most powerful force shaping the attitudes, behaviors, and values of each generation. It plays a crucial role in shaping how individuals approach work, responsibility, and their sense of purpose in the world. While Gen Z is often criticized for perceived entitlement, it’s important to acknowledge that these attitudes are learned behaviors, influenced by parenting styles, and passed on to newer generations.
Technology: Technology is a defining force for every generation—yet Gen Z is the first to grow up fully immersed in it. For them, smartphones, social media, and video calls are not innovations—they’re the norm. This digital fluency shapes how they communicate, shop, and work, creating expectations for seamless, “mobile-dependent” not “mobile-first” experiences. As Dorsey puts it, “Technology is only ‘new’ if you remember life before it. For Gen Z, it simply is.” For leaders and organizations, embracing this mobile-first reality isn’t optional—it’s foundational.
Practical Strategies for Engaging Gen Z
Dorsey shared a few actionable insights for employers and marketers seeking to connect with Gen Z:
- Job Postings: Gen Z typically reads only the first two lines of a job listing. Make sure to Include the salary range (especially the minimum) and key benefits right up front to capture their attention.
- Meaningful Benefits: Stability tops the list of what Gen Z wants from employers, shaped in part by growing up during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also value mental health support and flexible scheduling—even small adjustments in start and end times matter.
- Communication Style: Gen Z expects regular, two-way communication. They want to feel heard and included in conversations, even if they don’t have all the answers.
- Mobile-First Experience: Hiring and onboarding processes must be fully mobile-friendly. Gen Z prefers completing these tasks on their phones without switching platforms.
Generational Nuances and Workforce Implications
Dorsey pointed out that Gen Z often enters the workforce later and with less job experience, meaning they require more training in soft skills and interpersonal communication. He also stressed the importance of viewing generational traits as helpful insights—not rigid categories.
When comparing Gen Z to millennials, Dorsey noted that while millennials may delay traditional milestones like marriage or homeownership, they still aspire to achieve them—contrary to some common misconceptions.
Why This Matters
Gen Z is not just another demographic—they are a transformative force. Their influence is reshaping expectations across all generations and redefining how business is done. Leaders who adapt—whether in hiring, marketing, or management—will position their organizations for success. Those who don’t risk falling behind.
In summary, Jason Dorsey’s Zconomy session delivered a compelling, research-backed roadmap for understanding and engaging Gen Z. By recognizing the influence of parenting, technology, and generational context, leaders can better attract, engage, and retain Gen Z talent and consumers—meeting their unique needs for stability, open communication, and digital-first experiences.