by Neil Irwin
First published 2019
The modern economy has transformed into a winner-take-all system where traditional career paths no longer guarantee success. Neil Irwin, senior economic correspondent at The New York Times, argues that professionals must become "glue people" who bridge different specialties rather than focusing on narrow expertise. Through analysis of global corporations like Microsoft, Walmart, and Goldman Sachs, alongside smaller organizations creating digital effects for Planet of the Apes films or producing Jim Beam bourbon, Irwin demonstrates how technological complexity and global competition have changed the rules. He uses original data and case studies to show why winding career paths now provide better preparation than linear advancement. The book reveals strategies for navigating an economy where jobs shift rapidly and corporate landscapes favor those who can connect diverse technical skills across teams.
Genres: business, economics, non-fiction, 21st-century
Vibes: analytical, informative, thought-provoking
Tropes: career-transition, expert-advice, industry-analysis
Setting: Microsoft, Walmart, Goldman Sachs, Planet of the Apes, Jim Beam
Period: Modern Era
304 pages · Hardcover · St. Martin's Press