Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?
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ISBN13: 9781591843160 Condition: NEW Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Description
"The only way to get what you're worth is to stand out, to exert emotional labor, to be seen as indispensable, and to produce interactions this organizations and people care deeply concerning." In bestsellers such as Purple Cow and Tribes, Seth Godin taught readers how to do remarkable products and spread great ideas. But this book is different. It's concerning you - your choices, your future, and your potential to do a huge difference in whatever field you select. There used to be two teams in each workplace: management and labor. Now there's a third team, the linchpins. These people invent, lead (regardless of title), connect others, do things happen, and make order out of chaos. They figure out what to do when there's no rule book. They delight and challenge their clients and peers. They love their work, pour their excellent selves into it, and turn every day into a kind of art. Linchpins are the necessary building blocks of excellent organizations. Like the small piece of hardware this 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 excellent jobs and the much liberty. Have you ever found a shortcut this others missed? Seen a new way to resolve a conflict? Made a connection together with someone others couldn't reach? Even one time? Then you have what it takes to become indispensable, by overcoming the resistance this holds people back. Linchpin will show you how to join the likes of... *Keith Johnson, who scours flea markets across the country to fill up Anthropologie stores together with distinctive pieces. *Marissa Mayer, who keeps Google focused on the things this really matter. *Jason Zimdars, a graphic designer who got his dream job at 37signals not including a résumé. *David, who works at Dean and Deluca coffeeshop in New York. He sees each client interworking as a chance to provide a gift and is cherished in return. As Godin writes, "Each day I meet people who have so much to provide but have been bullied enough or frightened enough to hold it back. It's time to stop complying together with the system and illustrate your own map. You have brilliance in you, your contribution is necessary, and the art you make is precious. Only you can do it, and you must."
Amazon Special: Hugh MacLeod Reviews Linchpin Hugh MacLeod is an artist, cartoonist, and Web 2.0 pundit whose blog, gapingvoid.com, has two million distinctive monthly visitors. His first book, Ignore Everybody, was an Amazon Top Ten Business Book of the Year and a Wall Street Journal bestseller. Read his special Amazon guest review of Linchpin: This is by far Seth’s much passionate book. He’s pulling fewer punches. He’s out for blood. He’s out to do a difference. And this glorious, heartfelt passion is obvious on each page, even if it is in Seth’s usual quiet, lucid, understated manner. A linchpin, as Seth describes it, is somebody in an organization who is indispensable, who cannot be replaced—her role is just far too distinctive and valuable. And then he goes on to say, well, seriously folks, you want to be one of these people, you really do. To not be one is economic and career suicide. No surprises there—this’s exactly what one would expect Seth to say. But here’s where it gets interesting. In his excellent-known book, Purple Cow, Seth’s message was, “Everyone’s a marketer now.” In All Marketers Are Liars, his message was, “Everyone’s a storyteller now.” In Tribes, his message was, “Everyone’s a leader now.” And from Linchpin? "Everyone’s an artist now." By Seth’s definition, an artist is not just some person who messes all-around together with paint and brushes, an artist is somebody who does (and I LOVE this term) “emotional work.” Work this you put your heart and soul into. Work this matters. Work this you gladly sacrifice all other alternatives for. As a working artist and cartoonist myself, I recognize exactly what he means. It’s not what you do, it’s the way this you do it. The only people who have a hope of becoming linchpins in any organization, who have any hope of varying anything for the better in real terms, are those who have the capacity to do “emotional work” at a high altitude—to be true artists at whatever they set their minds on doing. The guys who just plod all-around the office corridors, just turning up for their paycheck.... Well, those guys don’t have a prayer, poor things. The world is just too interesting and competitive now. And Seth then challenges us, the readers, to become linchpins ourselves. To do the jump. To become artists. To do emotional work, whatever the sacrifice may be. It’s our choice, and it’s our burden. Seth won’t be there to catch us if we fall, but to become the people we want to be eventually, well, we probably wouldn’t would like him to, anyway. Congratulations, Seth. You have penned a real gem of a book here. Rock on. --Hugh MacLeod
Customer Reviews
Let this book move you   2010-03-14
By Megan Moynahan (Maryland)
I spent most of the time reading this book with a lump in my throat and a tightness in my chest that didn't let up until I finished. Seth understands what it feels like to be the linchpin. To know what would fall apart if you walked away from what you do. The fact that he acknowledges that there is no map going forward makes the impact all the more poignant: the only plan forward is the one you create in your head. I'll probably have to sit for a couple more days blinking back tears. But then I'm gonna get up and ship my art. (PS - Seth, we met briefly. Page 201. Thanks again for coming.)
Linchpin   2010-03-14
By N. Caronna (USA)
Insightful book, makes you question and examine goals in life. A bit of a struggle to stay fosued in early chapters, but excellent once you discipline throu it. Relatively quick read. Recommended for everyone!
Nothing outstanding.. a bunch of trite observations..   2010-03-13
By JPK (Boston, MA)
I think this book is highly over-rated. I bought it after reading one of Seth Godin's shorter treatises "Brainwashed: Seven Ways to Reinvent Yourself," which was refreshing and exciting to read, but alas, any hints that Godin might be on to something of substance, appear to be a mirage. Godin's writing reminds me of Malcolm Gladwells, and it's probably no accident. This guy wants to point out how the "world really works" and convince you to re-evaluate your place in the economy. Not bad advice, in general. But his arguments are circular, and almost approach a psychological style spin on how to become an "indispensable" member of the workforce, to do "emotional work" and be an "artist". However, besides finding the book an unsatisfying waste of $9.99 (Kindle Edition), I disagree with his entire premise that school teaches people to be "obedient cogs" and that one can simply follow Godin's advice and craft his or her own way into becoming an invaluable part of an organization. Certain people grow into their success because of a combination of inherent traits (intelligence, talent, people skills), who they know, their education, and a lot of luck/circumstance. Mr. Godin writes well, cogently and convincingly, but he's also a circular bore whose advice won't help you much, except perhaps to generate yuppy style coffee table discussions about the "new" economy.
I'm disappointed in Seth   2010-03-13
By John Seiffer (Milford CT USA)
It's not that this is a bad book - it's an over done topic. Seth does his typical entertaining job of telling stories that illustrate ideas that are sometimes insightful, sometimes obvious, and sometimes over simplified to the point of being wrong, but usually motivational. I'm disappointed that Seth has turned away from doing that in the realm of marketing to doing that in the realm of personal development. I heard him speak at the launch of the book tour and someone mentioned that he'd been criticized for writing a self-help book. He replied "Self help is the only kind of help there is" If that were true, no one would need a doctor. As someone who was in the self-help world for quite a while, I know there are cases where it's useful. I also know there are cases where it blinds and limits people to focusing away from reality. It's like sugar - enticing, and yes our bodies need it, but those who love it most can be the ones who over indulge and are harmed by it. This may be an OK self help book (I'm probably too jaded to judge) but don't be misled. That's what it is, and I'm disappointed.
Insightful   2010-03-13
By Eric Makelky (Montana)
This is the first of Godin's books I've read, but I was very impressed. I was approaching this read from the perspective of an educator, but Godin's bountiful wisdom seems applicable for people in all businesses and roles. Some of Godin's ideas initially seemed pretty abstract (be an artist) but he does provide some concrete suggestions for becoming indispensable in the workplace. I felt like you can apply 99% of his suggestion, and I cannot argue with any of ideas. With the current economic situation in our country this book will certainly give you a leg up on the competition. This was a fairly easy read, and if you have any motivation to become more valuable at work, Linchpin is well worth the $11.