Linchpin

Are You Indispensable?

By: Seth Godin

Narrated by: Seth Godin

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)

Lots of things to ponder

Superb book that shows not only how to be successful professionally, but also touches more deep things, as: life purpose, joy, how our brain works.

Unbelievable Listen

To be honest, I don't know where to begin. the insight offered in Linchpin is unparalleled in regard to the way in which business is conducting. I am still in shock that this was written in 2010. Seth's ability to see the underpinnings of what an online world looks like was way ahead of it's time. I binge listened to this and imagine it will be in my queue again very shortly. If you even have the slightest feeling of intrigue surrounding this audio book, spend your next credit on it. You will not be disappointed.

Mandatory Reading for Your Team

This is mandatory reading for all your team members whether a business, sport's team, or volunteer group. Everyone has something to gain from this teaching.

Brilliant

This is my fourth time listening to this incredible book. Seth helps each person see that they are an artist with the ability to be remarkable, it just takes WORK.

Great Perspective!

What did you love best about Linchpin?

Seth gives good, common sense advice especially for those in this though economy! Don't be an average Joe, be a Linchpin!

Very insightful

Happy I ordered this one and I continue to be a fan of Seth and he view of the world!

Inspiring and awesome!

A book read by the author is pretty rare, but I'm really glad he lent his voice to the program. Excellent book that will teach you how to be a true master, an artist, in your industry.

A beautiful book

Most business books are very similar in providing tools and tactics to better yourself. This book is unique and different in it’s approach.
It’s well worth your time to read/listen to.
One of the best I’ve listened to in a long time.

Wow! This is great!

What made the experience of listening to Linchpin the most enjoyable?

This book really covers a lot of ideas. Everything is relevant for today. The points he makes are empowering. Most of the points we may already know, somewhere in the backs of our minds, but it's way more powerful when the ideas are presented to us in their full potency and woven together in an organized, logical manner like Seth Godin does for us here.

The amount of teaching in this is the equivalent of what you would learn in a college course's worth of lectures. Considering the fact that college courses are something like $500-$1000 per credit hour, this audiobook might be one of the best $10 I've ever spent.

Have you listened to any of Seth Godin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first Seth Godin experience.

Excellent and Challenging

Great listen! Seth does a great job constantly punching you in the throat with being your true creative self. its a tough listen as your "lizard brain" screams at you the whole time. It also encouraging, Seth encourages you to create, fail, create again and give gifts.

As work to be more creative, I know I will look back at this book with much respect. And probably listen to it a couple more times, like whenever I feel my "lizard brain" taking over.

Please do yourself a favor, read this book! Take steps to find the greatly creative person in you!