DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

The Gig Mindset Advantage

Why a Bold New Breed of Employee is Your Organization's Secret Weapon in Volatile Times

Jane McConnell author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Figure 1 Publishing

Published:24th Jun '21

Should be back in stock very soon

The Gig Mindset Advantage cover

Companies and organizations around the world are being confronted with alarming challenges—a global pandemic, market shocks, climate change, political instability. But in these unsettled times, organizational analyst Jane McConnell reveals that managers and executives have a secret weapon on their side: an overlooked group of employees that share “the gig mindset”—a freelancer-style knack for improvisation, adaptability and innovation that offers a crucial key to the future. Found at all levels of the workforce but often stifled by managers, gig mindsetters are disruptors who upend business as usual and bridge gaps while achieving surprising outcomes and charting new directions. Six case studies of early adopters illustrate how it is shaping business in diverse fields: science and technology, industrial energy, healthcare, financial services, agricultural commodity trading and legal services. With multiple examples and quotes, McConnell addresses the "How to" so necessary to turn ideas into actions: Recognize the value of gig mindsetters– the border-crossers, inside outsiders and carriers of new skills Overcome the willful blindness of management based on pride, fear and past successes Go beyond resilience to achieve proactive resilience Invest in movers–the gig mindsetters already in your organization and those to come Define a relevant balance between gig and traditional behaviors Own your personal strategy by choosing one of three paths You'll also find checklists of points to ponder and discuss as you explore your own case and context. In The Gig Mindset Advantage, McConnell brings her decades of research into workforce culture, organizational strategy and digital transformation into a compelling wake-up call to managers and executives. Long-term success and well-being lie in understanding and developing a gig-mindset work culture in both organizations and in individuals.

"As I read the book, it dawned on me that the basic problem is not the lack of a gig mindset, but the way people internalize fear of others - to the extent that it becomes habitual. McConnell addresses these fears in new ways, each page different from the one before. A focused achievement.” Art Kleiner, author of The Age of Heretics: A History of the Radical Thinkers Who Reinvented Corporate Management This book is a breakthrough!” Jessica Lipnack, coauthor of The Age of the Network and Virtual Teams “Recognizing and encouraging rebels and gig-mindset people is the only way to realize the extraordinary possibilities of digital transformation and the future of work. For all of us individually, cultivating our gig mindsets is the only way to grow and find meaning in our work. Jane McConnell has written the book on how to speed this transition from old to new ways of working and to being able to bring our real selves to work.” Lois Kelly co-founder of the Rebels at Work movement and coauthor of Rebels at Work: A Handbook for Leading Change from Within, “Loaded with practical techniques and invaluable tips, The Gig Mindset Advantage is an eye-opening, useful read for leaders and employees alike.” Dan Pontefract, bestselling author of Lead. Care. Win.: How to Become a Leader Who Matters “In her provocative new book, Jane McConnell’s deeply researched exploration of the origins, evolution, and implications of the gig mindset offers leaders and managers actionable insights into the realities of today’s and tomorrow’s workplaces.” Jon Husband, founder of Wirearchy “At once a manifesto and an action plan that details how a range of humane and inclusive behaviors, traits, and principles can re-make diverse teams and businesses into more resilient, innovative, and purposeful organizations.” David Slocum, academic director at Rare with Google “Will inspire individuals to lead no matter what their title, and help organizations create a more agile, collaborative culture.” John Stepper, author of Working Out Loud “Challenges us to think about the future of our organizations, and, more importantly, of our people, in a way that transcends cultures and structures.” Stéphane Aknin, VP of Creative & Content at Prudential Financial, Inc. “The Gig Mindset Advantage is a compass for business, and  Jane McConnell is the scout that every executive should tap to  help them find their way to the future of work.” —Chris Shipley, coauthor of The Adaptation Advantage:  Let Go, Learn Fast, and Thrive in the Future of Work “A must-read for anyone who wants to stay relevant and for any leader who wants to ensure the future of their organization.” —Frédérique Thiriet-Smith, change and learning expert at BASF “Change is afoot in the world of work and the gig mindset  is an important harbinger of that change. This book examines  it from many angles and offers compelling ways to adapt.  A must-read for every talent professional.” —Kavi Arasu, director of Learning and Change at Founding Fuel “Now more than ever a gig mindset is a requirement for  those seeking to make a greater impact within their company, especially during times of change. Whether you are an individual contributor, a team manager, or a CEO, you will be sure to  gain new insight and understanding here.” —Kristen J. McCormack, Boston University Questrom School of Business “In the ‘future of work’ canon, The Gig Mindset Advantage is a rare treat.” —Jonathan Anthony, author of Dis!Organize:  An Intrapreneur’s Guide to Making a Bigger Difference at Work “Jane McConnell explores how the gig mindset allows us to  focus on ourselves, our real needs, and the contribution we want to bring to the world. Her research and stories show how each of us can play a role in building a gig-mindset ecosystem in our organizations and open a new world of opportunities.” —Marc Bramoullé, director of Knowledge Management at Ubisoft

ISBN: 9781773271507

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

192 pages