Book SummaryLinchpin, by Seth Godin

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Linchpin

Do you feel uninspired at work? Do you dream of making a positive impact on the world but doubt that you’re good enough to do so? According to author Seth Godin, anyone can choose to create work that changes the world by becoming a “linchpin” whose unique skills hold their organization together. Godin asserts that becoming a linchpin is not only the path to a fulfilling life and career but also necessary for career security in today’s tumultuous job market.

Godin is an entrepreneur and author of 20 best-selling books on marketing, leadership, and creativity. Linchpin, his 13th book, was published in 2010 and has become one of Godin’s most popular works.

Godin states that Linchpin isn’t meant to be a guide to business success in the traditional sense: Rather than give you a step-by-step plan to achieve success as an entrepreneur or marketer, Linchpin is meant to teach you a new way of thinking that will empower you to live up to your full potential, however you define that for yourself....

Linchpin Summary What Is a Linchpin Mindset?

Godin defines what it means to be a linchpin in a very specific way: Linchpins are people who see the work they do as a gift to others, follow their own directions rather than anyone else’s, and commit to being their authentic selves. According to Godin, embracing this mindset is the key to living a fulfilling life.

(Shortform note: Godin uses the word “linchpin” because these workers’ organizations depend on them so much that they hold the operation together (like a physical linchpin holds together wheels and axles). Despite this name, however, you can still embody the linchpin mindset working alone. The linchpin mindset motivates you to do creative, fulfilling, high-quality work, which is valuable even without an organization to hold together.)

Characteristic #1: Linchpins Motivate Themselves by Seeing Their Work as a Gift

Godin explains that the defining characteristic of linchpins is that they see their work as a gift they give rather than an obligation or reciprocal transaction. If you’re an employee, your gift would be any effort you put into your work beyond the minimum requirements of your job description. This...

Linchpin Summary Why You Need to Be a Linchpin

We’ve established that linchpins live fulfilling lives because they see their work as a gift, make their own rules, and commit to being their authentic selves at work. Furthermore, Godin argues that being a linchpin is the best strategy available to ensure job security in today’s uncertain world.

The Old Industrial Economy Is Obsolete

Godin states that from the Industrial Revolution to the present day, people could earn a comfortable, stable living by doing nothing but following directions. Factories built for mass production paid workers a steady income to do simple, repetitive tasks—for example, installing television screens on an assembly line. Similarly, companies paid office workers to do nothing but follow instructions, like an IT specialist who fixes the office’s computers by following a manual.

Unfortunately, Godin explains that as the 21st century progresses, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to earn a stable living by following directions. As corporations have developed, they’ve built and honed internal systems in which workers can be productive by following simple directions that are difficult to get wrong. This means that steadily, jobs have become...

Linchpin Summary How to Adopt a Linchpin Mindset

So far, we’ve explained what a linchpin mindset is, and why having a linchpin mindset is necessary to thrive in today’s economic landscape. Now, we’ll cover Godin’s practical tips for building this linchpin mindset.

Face Your Fears and Overcome Them

If being a linchpin is so fulfilling, why do so few people act like linchpins? Godin explains that embodying the linchpin mindset and acting accordingly is terrifying, and this fear dissuades most people from trying.

When you see your work as a gift and genuinely care about its impact, failing to make that impact and letting down the people you want to help is painful. When you commit to following your own rules rather than someone else’s directions, you must take responsibility for your failures and mistakes. When you choose to be your honest, authentic self, you become vulnerable to the judgment and mockery of others. Godin asserts that the most primitive parts of your brain perceive this failure and social disapproval as life-threatening dangers, and they urge you to avoid these risks at all costs.

These fears cause most people to seek comfortable jobs where they can follow directions and avoid the scrutiny of others...

Shortform Exercise: Assess Your Current Work Mindset

Apply Godin’s linchpin philosophy to your life by reflecting on your current working habits and attitude toward work.

Would you currently consider yourself a linchpin at work? Why or why not? Consider how much you focus on the positive impact of your work, how much control you have over the tasks you choose to do, and whether you feel like you can be yourself at work. Which parts of your job make you feel like a linchpin, and which don’t?

Shortform Exercise: Plan to Finish and Share Imperfect Work

Godin states that finishing and sharing your work with the world is the most important skill a linchpin can cultivate. Set a plan to put this into practice in your life.

Think of a project you’d like to create and give as a gift to the world. If you’re having trouble thinking of something, remember to use fear as a guide—is there anything you could make that intrigues you, but scares you? Perhaps something that you’d like to do, but that you’ve told yourself you’re not good enough to do? (For example, you may want to become a film critic and start a blog where you review new movies.)