Linchpin

I have been so touched and uplifted by people’s comments (on this blog and in person) following my heart-on-my-sleeve post after an unsuccessful job application. Thankyou to everyone for your extremely kind feedback.

Today I was interested in a comment by Marie Coleman who called me a linchpin and asked if I’d read Seth Godin’s latest book, Linchpin. I haven’t but I’ve heard about it, and I want to read it.

After reading a review of Linchpin, I thank Marie for this enormous compliment, and I don’t know if I am a linchpin but I would certainly like to be one.

There used to be two teams in every workplace: management and labor. Now there’s a third team, the linchpins. These people invent, lead (regardless of title), connect others, make things happen, and create order out of chaos. They figure out what to do when there’s no rule book. They delight and challenge their customers and peers. They love their work, pour their best selves into it, and turn each day into a kind of art. Linchpins are the essential building blocks of great organizations. Like the small piece of hardware that keeps a wheel from falling off its axle, they may not be famous but they’re indispensable.

(Linchpin pdf here)

The terms ‘art’ and ‘artists’ need to be explained here:

Art isn’t just for painters and poets. Art is “anything that’s creative, passionate and personal. […] An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity, and boldness to challenge the status quo. And an artist takes it personally.” (p. 83)  You don’t create Art as something to keep to yourself, you share that talent or ability with others.

(from review on Squared Peg)

Do you think you’re a linchpin? Would you like to be?

7 thoughts on “Linchpin”

  1. Tania – A real linchpin, you are! Heading right to the source and blogging about it! 🙂 I’m reading on my Kindle app for iPhone but also purchased a copy for my school’s library – have most all of his books. Although generally written for a business/marketing audience, it translates easily!

    1. Hmmm… I must bite the bullet and buy an iPhone, Marie. Just waiting for the problems to be resolved. The new iPhone 4 was recalled I heard. Almost bought Seth Godin’s book but stopped myself when I looked at the pile of unread books on my bedside table.

  2. I’ve always wanted to understand what happens to ‘kill off’ that natural love of learning so that I can have a part in inspiring young people during their school years, in helping them enjoy learning and become lifelong learners.
    Tania, this sounds like a Linchpin to me! I also hear Sir Ken Robinson in those words. From my by gone days in Australia: Good On Ya Mate!

  3. Great minds think alike! I ordered Linchpin through Amazon last week, before I read Marie’s recommendations and your blogpost. I also would like an iPhone…

    You certainly are a Linchpin – thank you for ‘inventing, leading, connecting others and making things happen’. I’m learning so much from you.

    1. We’re learning from/with each other, Sinikka; thanks to you too. I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts about Linchpin.

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