Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?

The world is changing are you changing to meet it?

This is the basic premise of the new book by Seth Godin - "Linchpin - Are You Indispensable?" I have to admit that this book took longer to read for me than what I thought it would. It is not an overly complex book in layout or form but for me it struck close to home on many topics that I have had to work through over the past several years. So I found myself reviewing sections and comparing with past experiences.

Mr. Godin describes what it takes to become a linchpin in your current job or if that just isn't possible how to make changes in your life so you can become one. A linchpin is an individual who can walk into chaos and create order, someone who can invent, connect, create and make things happen. He describes that the constant resistance to achieving this status in your company or in your life is our biological desire to survive which prevents us from taking risks. The current machine also inhibits this by educating you to follow processes and procedures that are meant to make you a replaceable cog in the industrial framework that we live in today.

So are you indispensable? If you believe you are, make certain you fit the model described in this book. If you have never thought about it before, are struggling with the changes that are taking place in the work place, or feel you have lost control of your career then stop everything and read this book.

What Mr. Godin provides is a clear description of where the world has ventured and for anyone who wishes to participate he gives them the new rules of engagement.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A must read for understanding the Achilles heel of work and life.

Those of us who have followed Seth Godin have found fulfillment and enlightenment in what we do. Seth's new book is remarkable. It opens our minds - helps us to understand the Achilles heel of work and life.

It should be classified as business, philosophy, self-help and a must read for those open to creating a better business and life environment. Just imagine if Linchpin was required reading for every 9th grader. Just imagine how it will change each of their lives and create a better future.

Meanwhile those wanting fulfillment in what they do will understand Seth's concern that "Most feel the fear and react to it." Embrace his mantra of "Just acknowledge it and then proceed." Seth wants us to "lean into the fear". He says, don't respond and don't react, lean hard and make a difference by initiating. Great things happen when we conquer fear to create art and when we believe in the power of interaction.

I was fortunate to receive an advance copy and have read Linchpin through once and the adrenaline is high - I'm rereading to internalize. As the book says, "Art is a personal gift that changes the recipient." Thanks Seth for your art. Your gift of insight will spread as we all learn the power of art, interaction, gifting and the importance of "shipping,"

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Emperor Has No Clothes

This is a one idea book - - one that is fairly common knowledge these days, the rest is ridiculous half truths, bad logic, and bombast.

read the cliff notes version

Seth Godin's Lynchpin would be better as an article. He spends much of his time in over-development. There are helpful and truthful moments but as I read this book, it reminds me of a politician who overstates his cause in hopes of dispensing with the reality of discussing other variables that make up work place performance and outcome.

Great insight and examples of how YOU can make a difference.

Seth Godin contiues to bring practicality to the workplace. This book continues down the sane path as his The Dip abd Purple Cow books; but takes it to a new level of personal ownership. Easy read....,well worth the moeny and read time.

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0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Free the artist and ditch the lizard brain mentality.

I first heard of Seth Godin as a guest through a subscribed podcast. I was intrigued by his philosophies and sought out this book to look into it further. I'm so glad I did. Though some may say the message carried out is fundamental or nothing new, Mr. Godin reinforces it through metaphors and illustrations that help absorb and retain the message. It's easy to get caught up in the work "machine" and to simply be a "cog". This book brings some enlightenment and helps spark the creativity inside you to think about doing what you want to really do, to contribute simply, and most importantly, to "ship" ultimately. He tells of the message and decision that ultimately lies within us and to reach for it and run with it. It can make you indispensable in the "art" you contribute.

Rich though rambling guide on how to become indispensable at work

Warning: If you absorb all business blogger Seth Godin's advice, you could end up overworked and underappreciated. Godin's antidote to mediocrity and conformity is so effective and convincing that it may have the unintended consequence of making you the go-to person for your whole organization. Godin stipulates that everyone faces a choice: An individual can choose to live day after day, year after year, languidly going through the motions, doing work that is devoid of excitement and imagination. Or, he or she can choose a path that promotes uniqueness and ingenuity by becoming a "linchpin," an invaluable, indispensable employee, the center of all a company's activities. Godin declares that if you believe in yourself and your potential for greatness, kindle the creative spark within, embrace risk and seek the good in others, you can become an influential linchpin. Although Godin writes in his signature rambling style, which some readers may find distracting, getAbstract applauds this unique, absorbing business book, whose reach extends far beyond the conference room. The author has done his part; your path is up to you. Proceed with caution - even being a linchpin has its hazards.

To learn more about this book, check out the following web page: http://www.getabstract.com/summary/13344/linchpin.html

Godin gets it right with Linchpin

Seth Godin is on a mission to free people from the false implied contract current leadership boxes them into. In this, he is exactly right.


How has the nature of work changed? What has happened to the implied agreement where workers do what they are told and are protected from the difficult work of thinking? Finally, what are WE to do?


Godin dives into these meaty questions with a seasoned perspective that both clarifies and sounds a call to action.

Godin's book is directed to the individual, to the person frustrated by the current state of affairs. It could just as easily be directed to the "bosses," those people who are using a leadership structure that is living on borrowed time, who are ham-stringing their employees and causing significant costs in terms of employee turn-off and lack of intellectual commitment. Gallup estimated that employee dis-engagement costs American businesses $300 billion a year.


It is a timely book and we add Seth Godin to those business thinkers who recognize the current leader-follower arrangement just isn't working, and are calling for changes.


We take Godin's point one step further. We do not believe a patch on the current leader-follower leadership structure will solve the problem; the better way to think of it is that it is the leader-follower structure itself that is the problem. Instead, replace leader-follower with leader-leader, rejecting the notion that we should put anyone into a follower role!


Let's not lose the best of our intellectual capability by putting people into follower roles.


My name is David Marquet, from Practicum, Inc and we help our customers get everyone be a leader and avoid casting employees into follower roles. To continue the dialogue respond to david.marquet@practicuminc.com or follow our blog or follow us on twitter.

Don't bother

If you don't know this stuff already, maybe this wouldn't seem like repetitive sensible information. But to me, it was like reading a cheerleader manual ... rah rah rah, you can do it, repeat ad nauseum.

Want Success? Read This Book!

Listen. When you read this book, chances are real good that your paradigm will shift.IN A BIG WAY! You see, the way things used to be.well, those days are gone. You are in control of wherever you are. Seth writes how you have a choice to make. You can go through life being a rule follower. But don't be surprised when you aren't making a lot of money or going anywhere. OR.you can be a linchpin! If you aren't a linchpin now, Seth tells you how you can be one. It's YOUR CHOICE. Seth will guide you.but only you can make that decision. If this book doesn't change your life.either there is something wrong with you.or you just don't want to succeed! Which is it?

Very Exciting Read

Seth Godin's books have always been truly compelling. His creativity is the driving force behind the majority of his work, and his sense of perspective is impeccable. With Linchpin, he takes on the task of (zealous) motivational expert, without all of the nauseating baloney. Furthermore, read this book to discover why I use the term zealous with extreme caution.
Although, finding the book extremely entertaining, I found the actual utility of the book to be limited, in a sense that, the optimism surpasses the reader's power to implement such radical methods. His encouraging methods and ideas cannot function as gracefully in most real time environments without relentless effort.
Overall it is a very entertaining book with many innovative real-time references and interesting examples.

This will be one of the most important books you will ever read.

This book both disturbs and inspires. It uncovers at its very core the reason most of us will think grand thoughts and dream great dreams, and then, consciously or subconsciously, sabotage them (or never start moving towards them at all.)

It is disturbing because in understanding the reason we don't act (or, "ship"), we have no more excuses, and nowhere to hide.

And it inspires: because once you read this, and understand, you are released to do what you always (deep down, no matter how many times you or someone else poo-pooed you) knew you could and should do!

Linchpin is beautifully and simply written, and for me it was over too soon...as soon as I finished, I had to read it again. I simply cannot recommend this book strongly enough to those who need the inspiration to do all those things they know they can do, and then do them greatly!

But don't expect a map from Linchpin...it's not a "how", but a "why," a "who" (YOU) and a "when" (NOW.) You need this book. And when you go to buy it, buy one for each of your friends, too.

Make me a Linchpin, Seth

I want to be the person Seth Godin feels I am - a genius. I like his ideas and wish that I knew how to be indispensable. But mostly I feel that he is on-target with his assessment of the world. He is speaking to the 10 percenters who want to make a difference and have been excluded from the process by age, career choice or a changing landscape. Being good is no longer enough. Now, we have to be good and to find our niche. It is a big challenge for those of us who were taught to fit into the industrial world. I was definitely schooled to find a place where I could be successful within a framework that just does not exist anymore. I am young thinking and strong-willed enough to make the transition. But it takes time. Godin is unique. And I like his friend and sometimes illustrator Hugh MacLeod, too.

It was a good book... It was a good book ... It was a good book...

Godin has potential to inspire millions, and i can say that if he already has, i am part of that collective enthusiasm. Linchpin's are definitely needed in our society and Godin does a good job of making sure his readers understand every aspect of what he is communicating, mostly through a large amount of repetition. "Don't be a cog in a machine... Our world today needs artists, not cogs in a machine... Becoming a linchpin is the only alternative to being a cog in a machine" If any reader is able to pull through the first 3rd of the book with its mass density of repetition then the rewards afterward are very insightful and ultimately have the ability to change your life (for the better).

What your job will be in the future

Godin continues to be one step ahead. The premise - just as machines take away blue collar jobs, technology is now changing, and taking away, white collar jobs. The promise of hard work in exchange for a paycheck and job security is now gone - in the new world order, you make your own luck by being a linchpin; someone that brings art to their work. People who can solve problems. Being a do-er is no longer good enough. Technology will replace the do-ers soon enough. What projects are you working on? Are they meaningful? What have you created lately?

The big gripe I have with this book is it can get a bit preachy, however accurate. Most of these teachings can easily be seen just by reading his blog (which is very good). Overall - the ideas are well composed and theme a good one. The future of work is changing and this book is a good glimpse into what that future may look like.

"Shipped" too soon!

I really loved the beginning and middle of this book. I thought it was remarkable, maybe even revolutionary! But then the last third of it disappointed me. I think, to coin a phrase used by the author, that it was "shipped" too soon.

If Seth Godin had perhaps let the manuscipt sit for a while, maybe a year, and then had come back to it and revised the last third with renewed energy, I think he could have had a Malcolm Gladwell kind of hit on his hands.

Don't get me wrong. It's still a worthwhile read. I just think it could have been so much more. It's kind of like having an amazing meal at a five-star restaurant where everything is absolutely perfect until the chef rushes the cooking of the dessert and it is burnt around the edges and the coffee isn't fresh. Most of the meal was remarkable, but it's hard to forget those last few bites.

Susan Gabriel
author of Seeking Sara Summers

Seth Godin is a Linchpin!

As I typically do, I acquired both the hard copy book and the audio version since he reads it himself. I have enjoyed Seth's books for more than a decade and am a raving fan (some say groupie others say stalker!). Seth has an uncanny knack of envisioning a future trend and releasing a book at a relevant moment in history. The subtitle of the book poses an important question in today's job economy: "Are You Indispensable?"

Linchpin reminded me a little of "Survival is Not Enough", another longer and deeper read of his. Whether self-employed, under-employed or even unemployed, this book has lessons to learn. As a former entrepreneur and current marketing professional in a non-profit organization, I applied the lessons I learned immediately. During our Haiti humanitarian response, I thought of the derivative phrase "Linchpin Leadership" and tried to apply it to leading our Internet communications and marketing team. I also observed two of my colleagues, Anne Marie and Wendy, demonstrating such linchpin leadership in leading their communications and fundraising teams.

Seth's books over time have grown in reach and appeal from niche marketing and business, to broader social networking and "social networthing". On a personal note, his book "The Dip" helped to inspire me to break a Guinness World Record for the longest tennis rally with my twin brother.

I love the subtle details of the book from the jacket design, which on its interior features a mosaic of profile pics of members of his tribe as he did with Tribes (I admit, I looked at the inside of the jacket for my pic before reading the book). A new addition is the word cloud in front and back inside pages. Linchpin is bigger than his recent works in length and in size. It contains 244 pages including a bibliography if you are so inspired to read related texts. This book makes a great gift whether you buy it for yourself or give it as a gift because it truly is one. Thanks Seth.

Homeschoolers will really get this book!

Finally a mainstream book that tells everyone what many of us already knew. The world is changing. We are going to have to step up to the plate in all areas of our life. Instead of waiting for life to come to you, you have to go out and make it happen. The book is a quick read and you don't need to read it in order. What a great book. I doubt if it's something that would be taught in school, which is somewhat the point of the book. I was watching an interview on TV with someone looking for a job. She was using all the conventional methods, sending resumes, looking in the newspaper and on line for a position. As I was watching the report I kept thinking about what would happen if she would have more clarity about what she wanted and she called companies that offered the type of work she wanted. Wouldn't that be going over and above?

My children are reading the book and asking questions. What a great teaching tool!

Yes, I am a Linchpin,,,Now What?

I always love Seth Godin's stuff. This one really hits home as I have been searching for a new career for the last 19 months of being unemployed.
I am a Linchpin in Michigan, but I can't seem to find any teams to work for that are bold enoughh to employ my types!!!
If you are an HR Professional, I challenge you to read this...then decide if you should hire for long-term business success, or if you still want to "play it safe" by hiring easily replacible cogs for your machines...