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Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?
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Top positive review
6 people found this helpful
5.0 out of 5 starsThis Book Changed my Life For the Better. For Real.
ByAmazon Customeron September 23, 2017
A truly amazing book. One whose advice is so simple and clear that it seems obvious until one moment you put it down and find that you're a changed person. I'm typing this review after having finished a rough draft of a creative project I'd put aside for a year. I'm high with the feeling of "done." Might have I done it without this book? Perhaps. But reading it helped me spot the resistance creeping up on me when what I was producing wasn't perfect and fight it and get to done. This is probably the millionth review of this book, and Seth Godin probably doesn't care, but he changed my life and for that I am grateful.
Top critical review
4 people found this helpful
3.0 out of 5 starsToo repetitive and certainly nothing groundbreaking. I've read plenty ...
ByRichieon March 2, 2015
Too repetitive and certainly nothing groundbreaking. I've read plenty of books in the self-improvement genre, a lot of which I can read from cover to cover with ease. With "LinchPin," I'm sorry to say, my eyes glazed over by page 80. Also, the book was too repetitive and certainly nothing groundbreaking. Oh, and did I mention? The book was too repetitive and certainly nothing groundbreaking.
EDIT: I'm changing my review from 1 stars to 3. I mustered up enough courage to finish reading the remainder of the book. After you get beyond the repetitive nature of the first 100 pages, it starts to become a bit less painful and somewhat motivating.
EDIT: I'm changing my review from 1 stars to 3. I mustered up enough courage to finish reading the remainder of the book. After you get beyond the repetitive nature of the first 100 pages, it starts to become a bit less painful and somewhat motivating.
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ByAmazon Customeron September 23, 2017
A truly amazing book. One whose advice is so simple and clear that it seems obvious until one moment you put it down and find that you're a changed person. I'm typing this review after having finished a rough draft of a creative project I'd put aside for a year. I'm high with the feeling of "done." Might have I done it without this book? Perhaps. But reading it helped me spot the resistance creeping up on me when what I was producing wasn't perfect and fight it and get to done. This is probably the millionth review of this book, and Seth Godin probably doesn't care, but he changed my life and for that I am grateful.
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ByHellana LaRosaon February 28, 2014
We are all artists. That is the point that author Seth Godin is trying to get across in his book Linchpin. His objective with writing this book is to change the way people look at their work. The goal is to inspire people to no longer follow the norm, but instead create their own paths. With doing this they will build for themselves a more fulfilling, successful and rewarding career thus becoming better employees. When people are passionate about their work, it is in their nature to do whatever it takes to succeed. Having passion, a strong work ethic and drive to succeed is what makes a person a Linchpin.
Linchpin – this funny little eight-letter word is the main concept of this book. What does it mean to be the linchpin of a company? How does one become a linchpin? Can anybody be a linchpin? All of these questions were addressed in the book. Before addressing all those questions, Godin first explains his definition of a linchpin. He does not mean for people to be like the small pin on a wheel. Instead of the literal definition, he considers a linchpin to be “an individual who can walk into chaos and create order, someone who can invent, connect, create, and make things happen.” (pg VI). Based off of this definition, he considers a linchpin to be a person that the company would not function with out. This person sees the problem clearly and does not panic. Instead they develop innovative solutions and create their own path. A linchpin never follows a map; they create it.
When Godin looks at the corporate world, he sees many cogs. There are far to many people that blindly follow the rules set before them. They show up to work, do as they’re told and then leave. These people are compliant, under paid and in pain because they are not following their passions. This is Godin’s target audience. In order to inspire, you must speak to those in need.
From Godin’s research he has developed seven abilities that make a great linchpin. All of these abilities make the linchpin a unique asset that is indispensible to the company. These seven abilities are 1) Providing a unique interface between members of the organization 2) Delivering unique creativity 3) managing a situation or organization of great complexity 4) leading customers 5) inspiring staff 6) providing deep domain knowledge 7) possessing a unique talent. Godin describes each of these talents in detail and explains why if a person is special enough to possess all seven, then they can be an indispensable worker.
When explaining his point about why linchpins are the artists of their industry, Godin used a few good examples to help bring his point across. Artists create things, whether it is a beautiful painting, sculpture or new business model. All artists are innovators, creators and visionaries. The sign of a true artist is when they see something that’s so different and yet works so well. While Ev Williams was creating twitter, he did not use a conventional business model. When people first saw his project, they thought it was absurd. No one had ever seen such a thing. However, it’s uniqueness helped spread the word about twitter. Now it is a hugely successful form of social media. By throwing in the real life example of Ev Williams and Twitter into the book, it made Godin’s point more concrete. Without William’s quotes and the well-known success of Twitter, the point would have just been an abstract theory. Because I know the reality of Twitter, I could conceptualize the problems Williams faced and now I see how he overcame them. By using real life examples, Godin was able to better prove his point.
While I felt like Godin had some great examples, he also had some that were sub par. There were many times where the book seemed more like a cliché inspirational speech, than anything of substance. When discussing how one becomes a linchpin, Godin wrote that we all could be CEO’s of top companies. He used the example of Richard Branson and how he built his airline company. Godin tells the story of his idea for Virgin Atlantic and then goes on to say that anyone could do Branson’s job if they thought creatively enough and knew what to look for. While this is a sweet and thoughtful thing to say; it is not accurate. In reality not everyone can be a CEO. It takes a lot of leadership skills, vision and intelligence to be a good leader. It’s important for a good leader to always be looking for new opportunities, make important decisions and understand your audience. Each of those adjectives are characteristics that Branson possesses, however not everyone has them or can learn them. Even if someone did, they are not the only qualities that make a good linchpin or guarantee success. Godin devotes a whole chapter on “becoming a linchpin”. Even if someone reads the advice a thousand times that does not guarantee that they can apply it. While every one is special and has a lot to offer the world, that does not mean they will be the linchpin of their company. It takes practice, intelligence and a lot more than just reading a book to teach the skills needed to succeed.
Overall this book would get a B rating on a traditional college grading system. It brings up some interesting points about how to become a better worker as well as helped me better understand not to let my fear inhibit me from trying a new method. I learned that the best inventions were created by people who looked at things in a different way than the average person. They were able to see the problem, understand it and then had the courage to try something new. This is a useful skill that any body can use in their work or while at home. While that was a useful skill, Godin had a tendency to ramble on in the book. Sometimes his lessons sounded more like a cliché speech, then something I could see myself applying. Godin has accomplished a lot in his life. He has seen much success in the marketing world. If he had incorporated some of those experiences in the book, it would have felt more genuine and less like someone preaching to me about having a good work ethic. This would have helped me to better visualize how his points are feasible. Despite the rambling, the book does have some worthwhile points that are important for anyone in the workplace to understand. For anyone who is just entering the workforce or feels stuck at his or her job, I would recommend this book as a useful guide on how to navigate the corporate world.
Linchpin – this funny little eight-letter word is the main concept of this book. What does it mean to be the linchpin of a company? How does one become a linchpin? Can anybody be a linchpin? All of these questions were addressed in the book. Before addressing all those questions, Godin first explains his definition of a linchpin. He does not mean for people to be like the small pin on a wheel. Instead of the literal definition, he considers a linchpin to be “an individual who can walk into chaos and create order, someone who can invent, connect, create, and make things happen.” (pg VI). Based off of this definition, he considers a linchpin to be a person that the company would not function with out. This person sees the problem clearly and does not panic. Instead they develop innovative solutions and create their own path. A linchpin never follows a map; they create it.
When Godin looks at the corporate world, he sees many cogs. There are far to many people that blindly follow the rules set before them. They show up to work, do as they’re told and then leave. These people are compliant, under paid and in pain because they are not following their passions. This is Godin’s target audience. In order to inspire, you must speak to those in need.
From Godin’s research he has developed seven abilities that make a great linchpin. All of these abilities make the linchpin a unique asset that is indispensible to the company. These seven abilities are 1) Providing a unique interface between members of the organization 2) Delivering unique creativity 3) managing a situation or organization of great complexity 4) leading customers 5) inspiring staff 6) providing deep domain knowledge 7) possessing a unique talent. Godin describes each of these talents in detail and explains why if a person is special enough to possess all seven, then they can be an indispensable worker.
When explaining his point about why linchpins are the artists of their industry, Godin used a few good examples to help bring his point across. Artists create things, whether it is a beautiful painting, sculpture or new business model. All artists are innovators, creators and visionaries. The sign of a true artist is when they see something that’s so different and yet works so well. While Ev Williams was creating twitter, he did not use a conventional business model. When people first saw his project, they thought it was absurd. No one had ever seen such a thing. However, it’s uniqueness helped spread the word about twitter. Now it is a hugely successful form of social media. By throwing in the real life example of Ev Williams and Twitter into the book, it made Godin’s point more concrete. Without William’s quotes and the well-known success of Twitter, the point would have just been an abstract theory. Because I know the reality of Twitter, I could conceptualize the problems Williams faced and now I see how he overcame them. By using real life examples, Godin was able to better prove his point.
While I felt like Godin had some great examples, he also had some that were sub par. There were many times where the book seemed more like a cliché inspirational speech, than anything of substance. When discussing how one becomes a linchpin, Godin wrote that we all could be CEO’s of top companies. He used the example of Richard Branson and how he built his airline company. Godin tells the story of his idea for Virgin Atlantic and then goes on to say that anyone could do Branson’s job if they thought creatively enough and knew what to look for. While this is a sweet and thoughtful thing to say; it is not accurate. In reality not everyone can be a CEO. It takes a lot of leadership skills, vision and intelligence to be a good leader. It’s important for a good leader to always be looking for new opportunities, make important decisions and understand your audience. Each of those adjectives are characteristics that Branson possesses, however not everyone has them or can learn them. Even if someone did, they are not the only qualities that make a good linchpin or guarantee success. Godin devotes a whole chapter on “becoming a linchpin”. Even if someone reads the advice a thousand times that does not guarantee that they can apply it. While every one is special and has a lot to offer the world, that does not mean they will be the linchpin of their company. It takes practice, intelligence and a lot more than just reading a book to teach the skills needed to succeed.
Overall this book would get a B rating on a traditional college grading system. It brings up some interesting points about how to become a better worker as well as helped me better understand not to let my fear inhibit me from trying a new method. I learned that the best inventions were created by people who looked at things in a different way than the average person. They were able to see the problem, understand it and then had the courage to try something new. This is a useful skill that any body can use in their work or while at home. While that was a useful skill, Godin had a tendency to ramble on in the book. Sometimes his lessons sounded more like a cliché speech, then something I could see myself applying. Godin has accomplished a lot in his life. He has seen much success in the marketing world. If he had incorporated some of those experiences in the book, it would have felt more genuine and less like someone preaching to me about having a good work ethic. This would have helped me to better visualize how his points are feasible. Despite the rambling, the book does have some worthwhile points that are important for anyone in the workplace to understand. For anyone who is just entering the workforce or feels stuck at his or her job, I would recommend this book as a useful guide on how to navigate the corporate world.
5.0 out of 5 starsGodin’s hypothesis is dead on. Some repetitive themes but overall a positive and inspriring read.
ByAmazonbyalexon May 6, 2018
There are many quotable excerpts from this book and though it can be repetitive at times, the overall message is positive and inspiring. If you’re a quick reader, the repetition will give you deja vu of earlier chapters, but the author hits the nail on the head. (Bonus: A passerby on my commute struck up a conversation over the book as I was holding it and mentioned that the author was equally inspiring in person.)
ByGKVon June 8, 2017
Some complain that this book doesn't have enough technical details, the way a textbook would. This is instead a book that will change your mindset about work and careers. It's a fun read and very valuable for people who want extraordinary careers.
ByRikka Fernandezon March 3, 2014
If you're already a Linchpin, chances are, you already know the message of this book by heart.
But I'm sure that a wider majority needs to read the message Seth Godin wishes to spread. And while the message isn't anything new - he acknowledges the ideas which helped and shares the books he read during the writing of the this book at the end - it seems only a few really take this message to heart. Perhaps it's too radical or too difficult to put into practice, so most people choose to listen to their own personal Resistance instead.
What is the Resistance? I think the best part of this book is that Seth spends a great deal explaining what it is, how it works, and how to work with it, and how to conquer it. He gives many stories and even shares his personal experience, something which I appreciate. In a nutshell, the resistance is that part of your mind which stops you from being the artist you're supposed to be.
I gave this book a five-star rating because of how strongly he presented his ideas. It definitely made me shift my perspective. And though I think of myself as a sort of linchpin already, I realized that I still have this tendency to keep inside the safety of what's comfortable. So really, this book gave me an extra push to go beyond my comfort zone. Create art. It's as if I can feel his passion for art screaming at me. I wouldn't have written this review, if it weren't for how powerfully and persistently he delivers his message.
Of course, this book isn't perfect by all means. For starters, I wish there were footnotes with statistical data. (I find references to research papers or published works compelling and useful). Also there are some paragraphs which feel redundant. But that's just it.
This book is meant to be read by people who feel like they're not living the life they are supposed to live. Do you feel stuck? Do you feel like you're not creating anything? Do you feel like a consumer rather than a creator? Do you feel like you stop yourself even before you start?
Then by all means, let Seth tell you what you need to hear.
But I'm sure that a wider majority needs to read the message Seth Godin wishes to spread. And while the message isn't anything new - he acknowledges the ideas which helped and shares the books he read during the writing of the this book at the end - it seems only a few really take this message to heart. Perhaps it's too radical or too difficult to put into practice, so most people choose to listen to their own personal Resistance instead.
What is the Resistance? I think the best part of this book is that Seth spends a great deal explaining what it is, how it works, and how to work with it, and how to conquer it. He gives many stories and even shares his personal experience, something which I appreciate. In a nutshell, the resistance is that part of your mind which stops you from being the artist you're supposed to be.
I gave this book a five-star rating because of how strongly he presented his ideas. It definitely made me shift my perspective. And though I think of myself as a sort of linchpin already, I realized that I still have this tendency to keep inside the safety of what's comfortable. So really, this book gave me an extra push to go beyond my comfort zone. Create art. It's as if I can feel his passion for art screaming at me. I wouldn't have written this review, if it weren't for how powerfully and persistently he delivers his message.
Of course, this book isn't perfect by all means. For starters, I wish there were footnotes with statistical data. (I find references to research papers or published works compelling and useful). Also there are some paragraphs which feel redundant. But that's just it.
This book is meant to be read by people who feel like they're not living the life they are supposed to live. Do you feel stuck? Do you feel like you're not creating anything? Do you feel like a consumer rather than a creator? Do you feel like you stop yourself even before you start?
Then by all means, let Seth tell you what you need to hear.
ByRichieon March 2, 2015
Too repetitive and certainly nothing groundbreaking. I've read plenty of books in the self-improvement genre, a lot of which I can read from cover to cover with ease. With "LinchPin," I'm sorry to say, my eyes glazed over by page 80. Also, the book was too repetitive and certainly nothing groundbreaking. Oh, and did I mention? The book was too repetitive and certainly nothing groundbreaking.
EDIT: I'm changing my review from 1 stars to 3. I mustered up enough courage to finish reading the remainder of the book. After you get beyond the repetitive nature of the first 100 pages, it starts to become a bit less painful and somewhat motivating.
EDIT: I'm changing my review from 1 stars to 3. I mustered up enough courage to finish reading the remainder of the book. After you get beyond the repetitive nature of the first 100 pages, it starts to become a bit less painful and somewhat motivating.
Just wrote an extensive review on my blog, Prolific Living, but a few thoughts for Amazon friends:
Seth Godin needs no introduction. A world class marketer, a best-selling author of a dozen books, an unmatched voice of influence, not to mention a sincerely genuine person on every interview and interaction. He is too good to be real and yet so real, it's hard to believe.
Even so, I did put the book down. I even came close to shipping it off to a friend but I came back to it. I read it. I finished it. I devoured it. I loved it.
Brilliant thoughts expressed in simple form and through stories and facts and experiences. After reading it, you examine your every move; you look at your decisions with fresh new perspective, and you wonder why no one else told you to do "emotional work" and called you an artist all these years when you were trying to give your art to the world. And why you let the "lizard brain" have so much power over your plans and prospects. I have now come to know my lizard brain and I have seen evidence of my linchpin within. What about you?
To permanently shut off the lizard brain may take a long time but recognizing the things that stand in the way of our dreams is the first step toward greatness.
So what does it take to be the linchpin, to become truly indispensable? Is it to write endlessly, to create daily, to be original and authentic and to do it day in and day out tirelessly? Is it to dig deep and find one single genius idea and spend the rest of your days on bringing it to life? Or is it going through one bad idea after another until a good one emerges?
Seth Godin needs no introduction. A world class marketer, a best-selling author of a dozen books, an unmatched voice of influence, not to mention a sincerely genuine person on every interview and interaction. He is too good to be real and yet so real, it's hard to believe.
Even so, I did put the book down. I even came close to shipping it off to a friend but I came back to it. I read it. I finished it. I devoured it. I loved it.
Brilliant thoughts expressed in simple form and through stories and facts and experiences. After reading it, you examine your every move; you look at your decisions with fresh new perspective, and you wonder why no one else told you to do "emotional work" and called you an artist all these years when you were trying to give your art to the world. And why you let the "lizard brain" have so much power over your plans and prospects. I have now come to know my lizard brain and I have seen evidence of my linchpin within. What about you?
To permanently shut off the lizard brain may take a long time but recognizing the things that stand in the way of our dreams is the first step toward greatness.
So what does it take to be the linchpin, to become truly indispensable? Is it to write endlessly, to create daily, to be original and authentic and to do it day in and day out tirelessly? Is it to dig deep and find one single genius idea and spend the rest of your days on bringing it to life? Or is it going through one bad idea after another until a good one emerges?
ByJaclynBon November 30, 2012
This has probably been one of the top ten most influential books for me and, in terms of business-related books, top five. It is aimed at pushing and encouraging you to become a linchpin (indispensable, necessary, needed, required, etc.) in a company or organization so that no one could really imagine the company or organization without you. To pursue excellence and not simply be a "cog on the wheel" as he says, but to use your mind, use your motivation and desire to become great at what you do.
Don't allow your position, your duties, your bosses, your coworkers, your own self and fears, etc., to hold you back from becoming a linchpin! As he writes, "You weren't born to be a cog in the giant industrial machine. You were *trained* to become a cog. There's an alternative available to you. Becoming a linchpin is a stepwise process, a path in which you can develop the attributes that make you indispensable."
As he says later on, "If you want a job where you take intellectual risks all day long, don't be surprised if your insights get you promoted." This, hopefully, helps indicate the direction of the book in that we are to take risks, not listen to our fears and allow ourselves and others to hold us back. Read it. It will change the way you think about your role in your company, organization, family, group of volunteers, etc. I loved it!
Don't allow your position, your duties, your bosses, your coworkers, your own self and fears, etc., to hold you back from becoming a linchpin! As he writes, "You weren't born to be a cog in the giant industrial machine. You were *trained* to become a cog. There's an alternative available to you. Becoming a linchpin is a stepwise process, a path in which you can develop the attributes that make you indispensable."
As he says later on, "If you want a job where you take intellectual risks all day long, don't be surprised if your insights get you promoted." This, hopefully, helps indicate the direction of the book in that we are to take risks, not listen to our fears and allow ourselves and others to hold us back. Read it. It will change the way you think about your role in your company, organization, family, group of volunteers, etc. I loved it!
ByJuelleson August 17, 2017
Seth Godin really inspires the heck out of me. I read some of his books right out of college and the principles in them have guided me in my career and the way I approach work ten years later. This one was a great read. I appreciate his alternative views and far-out ideas - they're so spot on. His stuff pushes me to the best I can be. Start with some of his earlier books first!
ByBarry L. Davison February 4, 2010
Are You Indispensable? is the subtitled of this insightful book. Godin begins by challenging the reader to cease being "a faceless cog in the machinery of capitalism" (don't feel too bad, education, family, work, society, etc. has shaped us all to be such) to realize the huge opportunity in the new world of work. Linchpins are those individuals who can create order out of chaos, invent, connect, create and cause things to happen. This takes bravery as well as the fortitude to go against what he calls our "lizard brain" (the amygdala) that seeks to avoid risk or threats.
Art is a gift, says Godin, and we all have the ability to be geniuses. After all, we all got a box of crayons in kindergarten! - he argues. Becoming a linchpin is a choice, a frightening and a brave one, one that has no real "map." His chapter on Resistance provides significant insights into why we don't and how we can take the steps to become indispensable. Combining fascinating, hand drawn Venn diagrams (my favorite is on page 43, showing how Charm, Talent and Perseverance can combine to create a Linchpin while each, on their own, creates a Princess, a Prodigy or Frustration, respectively) with numerous examples of famous and not so famous people who made the decision to be artistic and generous, Godin makes a cogent argument for why giving gifts is the only way to become indispensable in the new economy.
Linchpins are described as having seven key abilities: 1) they provide a unique interface between organizational members, 2) they deliver unique creativity, 3) they manage in situations of great complexity, 4) they lead customers, 5) they inspire staff, 6) they possess deep domain knowledge and 7) they possess a unique talent.
Ever the pragmatist, Godin closes this fascinating tome with what to do "When It Doesn't Work," His summary chapter wraps it all up into a neat bundle. I found his advice on page 234 to encapsulate his plea to the reader:
" ...every day a few people (more than a few people) change everything. You can do it. You can embrace a new path and take it. Don't settle. You're a genius and we need your contribution.
Do the work. Please."
Art is a gift, says Godin, and we all have the ability to be geniuses. After all, we all got a box of crayons in kindergarten! - he argues. Becoming a linchpin is a choice, a frightening and a brave one, one that has no real "map." His chapter on Resistance provides significant insights into why we don't and how we can take the steps to become indispensable. Combining fascinating, hand drawn Venn diagrams (my favorite is on page 43, showing how Charm, Talent and Perseverance can combine to create a Linchpin while each, on their own, creates a Princess, a Prodigy or Frustration, respectively) with numerous examples of famous and not so famous people who made the decision to be artistic and generous, Godin makes a cogent argument for why giving gifts is the only way to become indispensable in the new economy.
Linchpins are described as having seven key abilities: 1) they provide a unique interface between organizational members, 2) they deliver unique creativity, 3) they manage in situations of great complexity, 4) they lead customers, 5) they inspire staff, 6) they possess deep domain knowledge and 7) they possess a unique talent.
Ever the pragmatist, Godin closes this fascinating tome with what to do "When It Doesn't Work," His summary chapter wraps it all up into a neat bundle. I found his advice on page 234 to encapsulate his plea to the reader:
" ...every day a few people (more than a few people) change everything. You can do it. You can embrace a new path and take it. Don't settle. You're a genius and we need your contribution.
Do the work. Please."
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