The Gig Mindset Advantage

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 moversthe 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.

“"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 , cofounder 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." St”

"As I read the book, it dawned on me that thebasic problem is not the lack of a gig mindset, but the way people internalizefear of others - to the extent that it becomes habitual. McConnell addressesthese fears in new ways, each page different from the one before. A focusedachievement.”Art Kleiner, author of The Age ofHeretics: A History of the Radical Thinkers Who Reinvented Corporate ManagementThis book is a breakthrough!”Jessica Lipnack, coauthor of The Age ofthe Network and Virtual Teams“Recognizing and encouraging rebels and gig-mindsetpeople is the only way to realize the extraordinary possibilities of digitaltransformation and the future of work. For all of us individually, cultivatingour gig mindsets is the only way to grow and find meaning in our work. JaneMcConnell has written the book on how to speed this transition from old to newways of working and to being able to bring our real selves to work.”Lois Kelly co-founder of the Rebels at Workmovement and coauthor of Rebels at Work: A Handbook for Leading Changefrom Within,“Loaded with practical techniques and invaluabletips, The Gig Mindset Advantage is an eye-opening, useful read for leaders andemployees alike.”Dan Pontefract, bestselling author ofLead. Care. Win.: How to Become a Leader WhoMatters“In her provocative new book, Jane McConnell’sdeeply researched exploration of the origins, evolution, and implications ofthe gig mindset offers leaders and managers actionable insights into therealities of today’s and tomorrow’s workplaces.”Jon Husband, founder ofWirearchy“At once a manifesto and an action plan thatdetails how a range of humane and inclusive behaviors, traits, and principlescan re-make diverse teams and businesses into more resilient, innovative, andpurposeful organizations.”David Slocum, academic director at Rare withGoogle“Will inspire individuals to lead no matter whattheir title, and help organizations create a more agile, collaborativeculture.”John Stepper, author of Working OutLoud“Challenges us to think about the future of ourorganizations, and, more importantly, of our people, in a way that transcendscultures and structures.”Stéphane Aknin, VP of Creative & Content atPrudential Financial, Inc.“The Gig Mindset Advantage is a compass forbusiness, and  Jane McConnell is thescout 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 ofWork“A must-read for anyone who wants to stay relevantand for anyleader who wants to ensure the future of theirorganization.” —Frédérique Thiriet-Smith, change and learning expertat BASF“Change is afoot in the world of work and the gigmindset is an important harbinger of that change. This bookexamines it from many angles and offers compelling ways toadapt. A must-read for every talent professional.” —KaviArasu, director of Learning and Change at Founding Fuel“Now more than ever a gig mindset is a requirementfor those seeking to make a greater impact within their company,especially during times of change. Whether you are an individual contributor, ateam manager, or a CEO, you will be sure to gain new insight and understanding here.” —KristenJ. McCormack, Boston University Questrom School of Business“In the ‘future of work’ canon, The GigMindset Advantage is a rare treat.” —Jonathan Anthony,author of Dis!Organize: An Intrapreneur’s Guide to Making a Bigger Difference atWork“Jane McConnell explores how the gig mindset allowsus to  focus on ourselves, our realneeds, and the contribution we wantto bring to the world. Her research and stories show howeach of us can play a role in building a gig-mindset ecosystem in our organizationsand open a new world of opportunities.”—Marc Bramoullé, director of Knowledge Managementat Ubisoft

Jane McConnell is an organizational analyst and strategic advisor. Wtih over 20 years of experience as a researcher and consultant - assisting healthcare companies, industrial and retail operations, and United Nations agencies among many others - her insights into leadership and work culture in the digital age have helped dozens of organizations focus, adapt and stay relevant. She lives in the Provence region of France, and can be reached through her website at

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.

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