Book Reflection: Linchpin

Himali
Himali
Sep 4, 2018 · 3 min read
Cover art for Linchpin, by Seth Godin

I received Linchpin in the mail along with 9 other “self-help” business books in preparation for Seth Godin’s altMBA. This is a personal reflection and my top takeaways from the book by the same author.

Linchpin was a natural extension of altMBA and many of the same concepts come through in both. My general sentiment during and after reading this book was a cathartic sense of calm — that everything that happens in my life is in my control and I can choose to create and spread art in everything I do.

This book offers a choice to help you see the world a little bit differently. Perhaps you’re in a rut at work and you think that things aren’t fair because you’ve done X which should lead to Y — but it hasn’t. Linchpin highlights why this way of thinking is a reflection of the old way of working. The new way rewards those that are more human, connected and capable of seeing things as they are to push through the resistance with resilience, should you choose to.

The old way = following the manual

School, hiring, promotions, resumes — these infrastructures all reflect the old way of standardizing behavior to reward and push people through systems. They’re creating “factory workers”, if you will. They reward obedience and mediocracy and ultimately, replaceable cogs in the machine. We do the job (follow the manual) and expect to be rewarded for it. This might work for a while, but it won’t make you indispensable. So what will?

The new way = creating art

I’ve said this twice now — “creating art”. What does it mean? Linchpin describes it in many forms throughout the book. These are the ones that stood out to me:

  • “Not my job” can kill an entire organization. The world is moving faster and our attention is getting shorter. A linchpin does a job that isn’t getting done. (p.33)
  • The only purpose of starting is to finish. (p.103)
  • It’s damaging to have to put a new face on at work, the place we spend our days. Building organizations around repetitive faceless work that brings no connection and no joy. (p.71)
  • A gift always creates a surplus as it spreads. This is the difference between debt and equity — with debt, you give and expect something in return. With equity, you invest time or resources into someone’s success or happiness and your payment is a share of that outcome, you become partners. (159)
  • Receive gifts with honest gratitude and reports about the chance that was created. If you appreciate a gift, consider saying “thank you, and…” (p.171)
  • The resistance mostly comes from anxiety which is simply fear about fear. Not fear itself which is a natural human instinct about safety and well being. (p.136)

The list

This is really what it comes down to. A mental checklist when you approach that situation that makes you feel like, how the eff am I going to be a linchpin around here? What makes you indispensable? (p.224)

  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

The secret sauce is humility. It permits us to approach a problem with kindness and not arrogance. This is especially important when we falter or make a bad decision now and then.

Some of this might feel out of context. If it interests you and you want to know more, check out the pages I referenced.

For me, Linchpin came at a time where I was bored, frustrated and stuck. It doesn’t suggest to me that there is a new world-order but it has shown me that I have choices to make with every interaction on the otherwise endless grind. I’ve already noticed positive impacts on my mental and emotional outlook.

If/when you read this book you, I’m sure different points will resonate with you. I’d love to hear what they are and how you’ve applied them to your life. Shoot me a note in the comments. I would love to discuss and elaborate.

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