I have just finished reading the book “Linchpin” by Seth Godin. My first impression is that this book, for better or for worse, has changed me. For better because it has reinforced my belief in doing what I love first and making money second (for worse because if I never make any money life will probably suck). It emphasizes the power of leadership through examples both great and small. It’s current, up-to-date, it’s relevant and it applies so much to where I am in my life right now. Not to sound cliche, but some passages made me feel as if the book were written just for me.
On a similar note, one aspect I really loved is how, by the end of the book not only do I feel incredibly inspired to get to work creating, but I also feel a bit like I know Seth Godin personally. I feel like I’ve just had a long philosophical discussion with a man who really seems to know his stuff. To me, that is a sign of good work. It’s not easy to create a nonfictional work so human that it speaks to people instead of just speaking.
OK well I suppose I should give a quick summary of what the book is about. That’s an important part of a book “review” right? Basically, “Linchpin” is about the importance of making yourself indispensable and his interpretation of what that means: being unique and creative, being a leader “binding” your team together, being the best among your network at whatever you do. Godin also addresses the reason why most people are content to just drift along in life: the resistance. The resistance, as Godin explains it, is based upon your prehistoric “lizard brain” that basically tries to convince you to take the easiest and safest route. For someone who has never been introduced to any of these concepts, the information in “Linchpin” is just fantastic and a huge inspiration.
One of my favorite passages is when Godin quotes a negative review of one of his previous books that cites a lack of clear cut steps to become a leader. Godin merely scoffs because, as he knows and every successful person probably knows, there are no “steps,” there is no map. If there was, it would no longer be an art form. It would no longer be valuable.
I believe the main purpose of “Linchpin” is to inspire us to get working on creating a map. To get people to reinvent the way they do their jobs (or create their own jobs) to incorporate a human connection that is so vital and so often overlooked in today’s corporations.
In writing “Linchpin,” Godin has inevitably made himself indispensable, at least to me and the people I’ve shared his ideas with. In fact, I believe that “Linchpin” may be one of the most (if not the most) important book I’ve ever read. I swear I wasn’t paid to write this! It just answered a lot of questions I’d been mulling over as I prepare to graduate college and move out into the world. This one’s a keeper.
