Bookworm: Linchpin

Don't be a cog in your organisation's machine – be a linchpin, writes Seth Godin.

Let’s start with the obvious question: what’s a linchpin?

Linchpins, according to Seth Godin (entrepreneur, dot.com executive and perennial best-selling author) are workers who bring more to their role than just their job description. They are the people who go above and beyond to get the most out of every task and every interaction.

Sounds tiring. What’s in it for me?

Quite a bit, actually. Linchpins are more employable, more likely to get promoted, and more likely to enjoy their jobs. Really, the more compelling question is what happens if you’re not a linchpin.

Why would a company ever hire anyone other than a linchpin?

Good question. For many years, the world of work required a completely different set of qualities than our modern one desires. Companies used to be motivated to bring in staff who would unquestioningly complete their tasks to a set standard, in return for wages, job security and benefits. Any sign of self-expression, innovation or risk taking was a no-no, and those who dared to step out of line didn’t get very far.

So, what changed?

Everything! Almost all production is now automated or outsourced, and the sorts of jobs people do nowadays require them to be more creative, energetic and original. This might sound like the language of start-ups and disruptors, but it applies to all kinds of jobs.

Could you give me an example?

Take a barista in a coffee shop. This might feel a lot like an old-fashioned production line job, but a barista can still make themselves indispensable: a linchpin.

They can do this by getting to know their customers’ names and preferences and always seeming pleased to see them; by offering a friendly, efficient and personal service. Customers will keep coming back to see them, even when a coffee shop opens up nearer to their office. This employee will be the first to get promoted, the last to be dismissed.  

Sold. So how do I go from drone to linchpin?

Godin says linchpins are made, not born. And he offers a few insights about how. The first is to overcome fear and ‘go for it’.

Sounds a little reckless?

Maybe, but what if we accept that much of our fear and anxiety is based on our imagined worst-case scenarios. Our fears are not always representative of reality, because our brains have evolved to detect danger and bristle.

However, if we really ask ourselves “what’s the worst that could happen?”, we’ll often find that even absolute catastrophe would be manageable. We might even learn something from our failures.

Ok, what else?

Think like an artist.

Erm.. even if you’re a barista?

Yes. That means someone who brings emotion and truth to everything they do. Someone prolific who makes a mess as often as they make a masterpiece. Someone who creates without expectation of gaining anything in return – who takes pleasure in the process.

Does Godin have any other pithy ideas?

Yes. Ship.

Ship?

Ship. If in doubt, make sure you deliver something. Don’t fuss over the details, don’t procrastinate, don’t make excuses. Always deliver. Always ship.

What am I most likely to say after reading this book?

“Pick me, pick me!”

What am I least likely to say after reading this book?

“I'm sorry, that’s not in my job description.”