Linchpin -- a book review

Linchpin: Are you indispensable?

We are in the middle of a revolution. Jobs have gone offshore and they are not coming back. 401K’s have been cut by half. Unemployment is the highest it’s been in decades. Fear is everywhere. The middle class is under tremendous pressure.

Godin sees the pain clearly, but he also sees a once in a lifetime opportunity in the situation to create value and become indispensable by taking the intellectual initiative.

You begin by making a decision to overcome the fear and anxiety associated with leading and connecting. Then you train yourself to become what Godin calls a “linchpin,” someone who adds unique value.

Godin has identified 7 abilities of a linchpin:
1. Providing unique interface between members of an organization
2. Delivering unique creativity
3. Managing a situation of great complexity
4. Leading customers
5. Inspiring staff
6. Deep domain knowledge
7. Possessing a unique talent

Godin shows what each of these abilities looks like in the real world, and tells how people have trained themselves to develop them.

Linchpin is Godin’s most ambitious book and his best. Two small sections are worth the entire price of the book: On page 101 Godin explains “Resistance” and on page 146 he tells how he gets projects done.

Get this book. You deserve it!