Linchpin

Are You Indispensable?

By: Seth Godin

Narrated by: Seth Godin

Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

There used to be two teams in every workplace: management and labor. Now there’s a third team, the linchpins. These people invent, lead (regardless of title), connect others, make things happen, and create order out of chaos. They figure out what to do when there’s no rule book. They delight and challenge their customers and peers. They love their work, pour their best selves into it, and turn each day into a kind of art.

Linchpins are the essential building blocks of great organizations. Like the small piece of hardware that keeps a wheel from falling off its axle, they may not be famous but they’re indispensable. And in today’s world, they get the best jobs and the most freedom. Have you ever found a shortcut that others missed? Seen a new way to resolve a conflict? Made a connection with someone others couldn’t reach? Even once? Then you have what it takes to become indispensable, by overcoming the resistance that holds people back.

As Godin writes, “Every day I meet people who have so much to give but have been bullied enough or frightened enough to hold it back. It’s time to stop complying with the system and draw your own map. You have brilliance in you, your contribution is essential, and the art you create is precious. Only you can do it, and you must.”

©2010 Seth Godin (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

"It's easy to see why people pay to hear what he has to say." (Time)

"Thousands of authors write business books every year, but only a handful reach star status and the A-list lecture circuit. Fewer still - one, to be exact - can boast his own action figure. . . . Godin delivers his combination of counterintuitive thinking and a great sense of fun." (BusinessWeek)

"If Seth Godin didn't exist we'd need to invent him - that's how indispensable he is! You hold in your hands a compelling, accessible, and purpose-filled book. Read it, and do yourself a big favor. Your future will thank you!" (Alan Webber, Founder, Fast Company)

Amazing!

Seth Godin understands the reality of the market and inspires us to do more.

Must read!

This book let me know that what i do everyday is not "doing too much". Sometimes I would think "they don't pay me for this" but thise same things gave me a leg up...made me first in line for promotions and last on the list of layoffs. i never thought to call myself indispensable...but thats what I am. And thats what the future needs. This book connects the dots on why our parents advice doesn't work in todays global...internet driven economy. Listen to it alk the way through with an open mind...thank me later.

Words of wisdom for our changing times.

Inspiring! Synergistic. Interesting. Informative. Thought provoking. Holistic. Practical. Paradigm changing. Helpful for anyone trying to navigate and balance life and work in our rapidly changing world. Implement these suggestions and become a positive force for change, adaptive, creative, giving...an artist.

One of those books you’ll have to revisit

This book has loose narrative and is primarily a compilation of the useful stories and anecdotes. I don’t say this as a negative. This makes the book useful because you can find a story for you and revisit it from time to time to remind yourself of its lessons

Amazing Insights

Loved it. This book has given new perspectives about work and career. Read it, if you want to master your career and become linchpin.

Not usual Seth Godin

Would you be willing to try another book from Seth Godin? Why or why not?

I will continue to seek Seth Godin's work, but be more careful to the content proposed.

Any additional comments?

I'm a big fan of Seth Godin, but I have to warn you that this book is NOT about marketing as we are used to by him. It is more about the 9-5 shift worker who would like to be noticed at work.

Now that you know that, this book might still be for you.

Also know that I have not finished the book so maybe there's more to it.

Brilliant

This is the first Seth Godin book I Have read. I was absolutely mind blown by his insight.Seth put together a great amount of material in an incredibly dogmatic style. This is a book you will chew on several times in order to get the full impact. Enjoy!

Mental Restructuring

I will definitely keep this book as part of my Arsenal to help renew minds that are on the path to
self improvement. Thanks.

Amazing, Mind Blowing.

If you are hesitating to read this book, you are afraid. Seth Godin will prove that to you.

Apply these principles and stand out!

Would you consider the audio edition of Linchpin to be better than the print version?

I have 42k miles of windshield time per year so I am biased towards audio books. However, since it is Seth talking, he keeps it moving and uses the intended inflection.

Other than making notes on the pages, I personally don't see any advantage to the print version for this particular book as there is only one, maybe two, simple illustrations that he has to explain in the audio, but it's easy to get a mental picture.

Seth is the man! This is a must read

What did you like best about this story?

The damon, lizard brain, and true self. All worth the price of admission.

Seth makes it clear that the Industrial Age is over along with the concept of the legacy employee. He points out how very rare it is to find a well paying job with benefits and a pension and goes as far as to say "There are no good jobs like this anymore."

We are (according to Seth) in the beginning a new age that is being fueled by the internet and a gift economy.
I'm not going to give away the concept, just know he lays it out well and it will probably cause you to rearrange some things inside your dome.

What about Seth Godin’s performance did you like?

I like that I felt like he was explaining something to me rather than reading to me.

Any additional comments?

Seriously, my favorite of the 11 audiobooks that I have downloaded.

Seth is already, hands down, my favorite blogger and for those who don't know him, Seth is a super smart dude.

In this book he makes a compelling case for us to do our best work and give gifts to those we work with. This (according to Seth) is how we can be indispensable/highly valued in our particular line of work.
He says showing up on time and following the rules just doesn't cut it like it used to.

Seth normally talks about managing, business, and marketing but this book is more geared towards an owner as well as an employee or entrepreneur.

Seth Godin has crazy insight on all things business and has taught me much.