February 3, 2010
Bruce Kaechele
1. I’ve heard mostly positive reviews with a few naysayers. Can’t remember which blog I saw this on – one of the many interviews Godin did to launch I think – but one commenter remarked that it is just more “be all you can be” stuff you can find in any self help motivational book. Can you see any truth in that, Suzi? Is it new thinking or repackaged thinking?

February 3, 2010
Suzi Craig
2. The basic concept, that we all need to focus on making ourselves remarkable, is nothing new.

   But, Godin is not interested in being a personal coach. His goal is to connect the dots of “you need to be remarkable” to “because our economy depends on it.” His rally cray is not a personal journey rally cry — it’s a “get off your arse because if you don’t, we’re doomed” rally cry.

   I say the naysayers are naysaying because they’re scared of what he’s asking, or they just don’t understand how he’s tying the implications of one person to the masses. In other words, we are the masses! And, if we want to be just another cog in the wheel vs. a linchpin, that’s our choice. But that choice has consequences and the consequences are severe.

February 3, 2010
Bruce Kaechele
3. Since I haven’t read the book yet (hint, hint) I’m at a disadvantage but…a machine or an economy or a world for that matter can’t survive with just linchpins. Being a cog in the wheel or a brick in the wall is a role that needs filling, too. Because they’re the ones that get stuff done. If everyone is a leader we’ll just spend the dance stepping on each others toes.

   (BTW – I’ve seen linchpin misspelled as lynchpin, the definition of which should be “a person that hangs themselves by thinking they are the only person that matters.”

February 3, 2010
Suzi Craig
4. Yes, you are at a disadvantage because I am holding your next read hostage. But, I am almost done.

   So, from my take, I don’t see that he is suggesting we all become the CEO of Pepsi. What he’s saying is that if you are working at ChuckE Cheese, find a way to become indispensable before they automate your job. The old method of “I’ll just do this crappy job now until I wait for something bigger to come along” is going to ruin you. If you are the best you can be — which goes beyond just doing the job, such as taking care of customers and doing things that need to be done even if it’s ‘not your job’, and finding ways to turn a potentially bad experience into a great one (because you WANT to and not because it will lead to a pay raise) — you are on your way to linchpinning.

   And not lynchpinning because it’s definitely not about holding yourself apart as a star. It’s much more about transferring the hard work from physical labor (which we hold in high regard and which we have a lot of) to emotional labor which starts with yourself but ultimately affects everyone around you. Would you fire the one person at the restaurant who knows how to sober up the chef, can handle the obnoxious customer and trouble shoot when the last order of steaks didn’t arrive? (That’s similar to one of his examples.) You can fire, however, someone who shows up to work on time, does the job that’s expected of them but can’t be relied on to take charge of anything outside their duties.

   What we’re talking about, and this is my rally cry now, is a paradigm shift. You can choose to be a cog and that’s cool. But, if you are hoping to survive in an economy that can easily replace cogs, know your reality.

February 3, 2010
Tia Martinson
5. I view your take on Linchpin holding hands with your post on breaking the rules. I am on my feet cheering you on. Realizing that fulfillment comes from having a voice and a purpose that you can control is light years ahead of the “old American dream” as outlined by Godin. I just received the book from Amazon, so I may have additional comments forthcoming as I have barely begun.

February 3, 2010
Suzi Craig
6. Thanks for your thoughts Tia.

   Funny — I probably have already, for some reason, been sipping the kool-aid on this per my “make your own rules” post and that’s probably why I’m such an ardent fan of Godin’s linchpin rally cry.

   Can’t wait to hear what you think Tia. You are one of my biggest fans and definitely a perfect example of what a lot of people are already doing — taking charge of who you want to be instead waiting for the definition to come to you!

March 9, 2010
Be indispensable at Work? — Jason Seiden
7. [...] Marketing guys. [...]

March 15, 2010
Courtenay
8. This is a great post, and it reflects my actions of the past months. As a result, my company is sending me to your upcoming “Social Media Certification”. I can’t wait!

March 15, 2010
Suzi Craig
9. Courtenay -

   I can’t wait to hear more about your thoughts on this – and I look forward to having you join the class!

   For more reading on Linchpinness, here is a really interesting discussion I jumped into on an another blog: http://jasonseiden.com/indispensable-i-doubt-it-youre-simply-not-that-important/

Post a Comment

January 29, 2010
The Deep End » How your FAQ page can further your conversation. Image
1. [...] more:  The Deep End » How your FAQ page can further your conversation. Tags: additional-attributes, category-search, include-elements, long-answers, not-need, [...]

Post a Comment