Linchpin by Seth Godin

Book Review by Daniel R. Murphy

Synopsis of Content:    

Seth Godin asks, Are You Indispensible? In Linchpin he describes what it means to be indispensible and how to attain it. Godin tells us that most workers are mediocre and undistinguished. He also says that it is not our fault, that society conditions and trains us to be just that. Society reinforces negative thinking and being risk averse.  

Business expects workers to punch a time clock, follow the rules, avoid rocking the boat and doing what they are told. In exchange they get a regular paycheck. He argues that although this system has served business well for over a century it has now become out of date and serves no one well.  

To escape this drudgery he advocates becoming inspired, creative, unique, inventive and dynamic. Support your co-workers even when they criticize you. Ignore those who rain on your parade when you are enthusiastic and positive. Become a linchpin – the go-to person in your company, group, team or office. Be someone who stands out.  

Linchpins recognize and seize opportunity. It does matter if they are the CEO or the janitor, they go the extra mile. The linchpin fights off and overcomes the natural fear we all feel, what Godin calls our lizard brain. Linchpins escape anxiety, which he calls practicing failure in advance. They are courageous and unafraid of criticism and failure.  

Linchpins in any organization have learned that giving is more powerful than taking. They become indispensible because of all they do for their colleagues, their bosses, their customers, their associates. Linchpins refuse to be limited to the status quo and explore new and often controversial ideas. They are bold and take chances.  

Readability/Writing Quality:    

Godin is an excellent writer, whether on his blog or in a book. His work is not simplistic however. You do have to do a bit of work to understand it and a lot more work to implement it.  

Notes on Author:    

Seth Godin is a well established and prolific blogger and writer. He has authored several books and runs his own publishing platform on the web called Squidoo.  

Three Great Ideas You Can Use:    

1. You can make a choice to leave behind mediocrity and embrace a life of creativity, change, growth and positive thinking. 

2. Linchpins are not always brilliant and need not be; they are willing to see opportunities and seize them.  

3. Linchpins work hard to view the world from other people’s perspectives and to build upon that insight.  

Publication Information:    

Linchpin by Seth Godin 

Copyrighted by Seth Godin. Published by Penguin Group 

Rating for this Book 

Over all Rating for Book: Very Good 

Writing Style: Intelligent and challenging. 

Usefulness: Very useful to anyone who wants to be more than average.