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)

Gives me the courage to do my job

If you could sum up Linchpin in three words, what would they be?

EMPOWERING. FREEING.

What did you like best about this story?

I listened to half of this before the first day on a new, challenging, open-ended job and it has given me the courage and guts to do what needs to be done. I don't know how things would have gone if Seth hadn't been there encouraging me through the inevitable self-doubt that I see in myself, in new hires in so many roles, in friends with their jobs, and in even the most experienced employees or managers. Now a few months in to my job, I'm picking it up again and listening every few days on my commute to remember who and what I need to be to make a difference. THE BEST BUSINESS BOOK EVER WRITTEN, PERIOD. Reminds me of what I love about my job and that I don't need to be perfect to be good enough and make great things happen.

Another win for Seth Godin

Narrated well. Seth does a great job. He fully develops the concepts he shares in a easy to track, relatable manner. This is definitely a worth the time audio book.

Great book! Seth has tremendous insight, as usual!

loved it! Seth clearly has taken the time to sit and think about the world. his observations are incredibly helpful!

so damn insightful!

loved the book. Godin gives so many insights about the modern world, industry , business and what not. well picked examples strengthen his story and compels you to believe in the vision that we can all be Linchpins.

Essential Reading for those determined to live a life without regret.

Seth Godin's work makes you want to rush to do your own. This book arms you with all you will need to defeat the "resistance" and to dare to create and to ship. I recommend this title to anyone who's ever dreamt a dream of a different life for themselves but managed to erect a million excuses for not pursuing that dream. If you want to ensure that you will live this one precious life that you have without regret, this book is a great first step.

good overall

this book touches on some great concepts but it keeps repeating some of the ideas over and over. It can be shorter. I like listening to Seth Godin because he's got great energy, so it's really nice that he's reading his own book. Over all I like this book and I recommend it.

Worth your time, but not Godin's best work

I've read much of what Godin has written, and after some recent organizational changes at work, I was looking forward to his insight on how I can level up myself at work. This isn't Godin's best work, but it's worth reading. Here's my take:

The bad:
1. It feels scattered at times, and sometimes it feels like Godin is making up buzzwords like he's trying to get something to catch on. That's frustrating for me as a reader, but it's not uncommon to his writings, so maybe that's just my take on his writing style. The scattered thoughts sometimes get pulled back into the main topic of the book, but sometimes they just feel a bit random and scattered.

2. The first half (or so) of this book is tough to get through. He sets things up to get to the meat of the topic, so I wouldn't skip it altogether, but I really struggled to get through it until he got to the Resistance. From that point forward, it was great; but getting to that point was a struggle.

The good:
1. Godin knows what he's talking about. And though sometimes it may feel like he's oversimplifying things, his insight is insight worth hearing. He's an amazingly smart and experienced person, so there's plenty to learn from the guy.

2. I chose this book because of some changes in the organizational structure at my day job. I was looking for leadership resources, and I chose this one because I've read other Godin books. Though it was less directly about leadership than I hoped, it did challenge me to see my efforts at work differently, and I'm ready to move forward trying out his ideas.

3. I really like his take on work, art, and giving. I won't spoil it here, but my side hobby business where I'm a bit of an artist will really benefit from the things he taught here.

Like the Muhammad Ali of Seth Godin Books

I Loved this book. Must say he was preaching to the converted but if your a linchpin it is good to brush up on your Linchpining skills.

If your looking for step-by-step instructions read another book. It is more of a concept and innovative thinking is not a like a baking recipe.

I was surprised to see the polar opposition of the reviews which tells me like Muhammad Ali in his prime "some loved him, some hated him but everyone watched him" Al Davis (paraphrasing) Everyone should read it and make there own critical assessment.

I say it is worth a credit or purchase.

Excellent Book

Godin tells it like it is and in a way that is so completely obvious that you wish you had thought of it. Of course, that's his genius, too. Great author, great book.

Simply Brilliant!

This audio book is brilliant, highly recommended to everyone, especially those of you that were hit hard by the recent economic depression.

Definitely getting the author's other books.