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I don’t do many “business” related book reviews, in fact I believe this is my first one. Anyone who has been around various blogs for sometime has heard of the name Seth Godin. He is the godfather of all bloggers. I could write a very long page about his accomplishments, instead I am here to talk about his book Linchpin. This is the first book I have read by Godin and I wanted to know what all the fuss was about.
Why do so many people hang on his wisdom concerning marketing and business? I am talking about people like Dave Ramsey all the way to CEO of Zappos.com Tony Hsieh. But what I really wanted to know, can Seth Godin speak in such a way that the simple laymen like me can walk away knowing exactly what he wanted to communicate or was it all over my head?
My conclusion? I could not put the book down!
What exactly is a Linchpin? “A linchpin is an essential element, the person who holds part of the operation together. Without the linchpin, the thing falls apart.” Who around you in your job, in your ministry is your linchpin? Godin goes on to explain that naturally we think of CEO’s and successful business men as the linchpin, but what about the every day guy who has you go out of your way because the product he offers is better than what you can get at a mass market. He becomes important to you, irreplaceable because of the difference he makes. (Think of that wonderful side of the road vendor you always buy from because his produce is much better than what you can purchase at the grocery store or the butcher down the road with fresher cuts of meat.)
Godin goes on to explain in simple terms why you should desire to be the Linchpin and why it is important to your success. If you do your job as you’re told, then you’re easy to replace. Godin wants you to “become indispensable” instead. To become a Linchpin there are several steps. First, you need to make a choice . Second, you need to do your work as a gift — as art — because it makes you happier, not just to please your boss. Third, you need to triumph over your lizard brain — the part that wants you to conform and avoid dangerous actions that might make you stand out. Fourth, what you start or imagine doesn’t matter — a real linchpin ships products, completes the task.
If you are not a CEO or a business person like me, but work outside the home this book will at the very least motivate you and at the most change the way you view yourself and what you have to offer in the business world.
I now understand why so many people love Seth Godin’s books, they will be read and studied many years to come.
Seth Godin is the author of ten books that have been bestsellers around the world and changed the way people think about marketing, change and work. His books have been translated into more than 20 languages, and his ebooks are among the most popular ever published. He is responsible for many words in the marketer’s vocabulary, including permission marketing, ideaviruses, purple cows, the dip and sneezers. His irrepressible speaking style and no-holds-barred blog have helped him create a large following around the world. Founder of Squidoo.com, a fast-growing recommendation website.
Seth’s book, Tribes, is a nationwide bestseller, appearing on the Amazon, New York Times, BusinessWeek and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. It’s about the most powerful form of marketing–leadership–and how anyone can now become a leader, creating movements that matter. The Miami Herald listed it among the best business books of 2008.
FTC Disclosure: I won this book in an online giveaway (and so happy I did!).
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Interesting topic. I personally believe that everyone is dispensable in the business world, so maybe I just have the wrong view and should read this book.