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rachelwiththelonglegs's review against another edition
5.0
This book had quite a few eye-opening thoughts regarding the entry-level workplace rut so many of us get trapped in. If you are mind-boggled by the current workplace culture that expects you to do as your told but punishes you at the same time for it, this book will deliver some much-needed insight. I will admit I needed to put it down out of frustration a few times at the beginning because it can be brutally honest in a non-inspirational manner. But it's valuable advice for those who choose the non-entrepreneurial career path as well! It's a quick read, and I admire its flow. I've already read it twice in two years and will likely read it once a year as a refresher to make sure I'm not slipping into the status quo of being a mere cog, but an inspirational linchpin instead. What I really enjoyed about Seth's self-help style is that he emphasizes how any job no matter how small, one can apply these skills to and become irreplaceable and that climbing the corporate latter quickly isn't the only measure of a person's professional success.
lindsayan's review against another edition
1.0
If you are a person who wants to read this, it might be a good book for you. If you are a person who did not choose this book, and wouldn't ordinarily, probably not for you!!
No matter who you are, it would take a lot less time to absorb these ideas if they were written as they should've been, in a teeny blog post, rather than a rambling and repetitive 230 pages.
No matter who you are, it would take a lot less time to absorb these ideas if they were written as they should've been, in a teeny blog post, rather than a rambling and repetitive 230 pages.
lapistella's review against another edition
4.0
This book explores ideas about how to be indispensable in a commodity based marketplace. Godin says, “You must become indispensable to thrive in the new economy. The best ways to do that are to be remarkable, insightful, an artist, someone bearing gifts. To lead. The worst way is to conform and become a cog in a giant system.”
He proposes that it’s no longer enough to just be able to do your job as prescribed, the workforce as defined by the industrial revolution has peeked. The white-collar work-a-day job is being phased out because of globalization and efficiencies in technology. And experimental work solutions, like the Amazon Turk, are a glimpse at a future of a componentized base-skill labor pool.
Godin offers seven abilities to aid in making yourself indispensible in the face of these changes. I won’t cover them all, but I feel strongly that I can implement some of them in my current role:
- Provide a unique interface between members of the organization.
- Manage a situation or organization of great complexity
- Inspire staff
- Offer deep domain knowledge
By the time I finished this book, I was fired up and even more excited about my new role at IBM. I love my job, and feel empowered to exert emotional labor and produce interactions that people care deeply about—to be a linchpin.
Godin also says, “You can’t always do what you love, but you can always love what you do.,” which reminds me a little bit of that Joplin song, love the one your with. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a new perspective on their own labor of love.
He proposes that it’s no longer enough to just be able to do your job as prescribed, the workforce as defined by the industrial revolution has peeked. The white-collar work-a-day job is being phased out because of globalization and efficiencies in technology. And experimental work solutions, like the Amazon Turk, are a glimpse at a future of a componentized base-skill labor pool.
Godin offers seven abilities to aid in making yourself indispensible in the face of these changes. I won’t cover them all, but I feel strongly that I can implement some of them in my current role:
- Provide a unique interface between members of the organization.
- Manage a situation or organization of great complexity
- Inspire staff
- Offer deep domain knowledge
By the time I finished this book, I was fired up and even more excited about my new role at IBM. I love my job, and feel empowered to exert emotional labor and produce interactions that people care deeply about—to be a linchpin.
Godin also says, “You can’t always do what you love, but you can always love what you do.,” which reminds me a little bit of that Joplin song, love the one your with. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a new perspective on their own labor of love.
4ndre's review against another edition
3.0
O livro é bom mas a tradução deixa a desejar por ser demasiado literal.
bloodravenlib's review against another edition
3.0
Gets three stars because "I liked it," but I did not "really like it." When I started it, I thought much of the content would be statements of the obvious. And there are quite a few of those in this book. But Godin also provides some things to think about, including a thing or two that librarians can learn. I did find myself taking notes from the book now and then, and I will likely post some of those in my blog later. At the moment, I just wanted to get a quick review in so I can mark the book as "read" and move on.
The theme of being an artist is pretty prominent in the book. This does not mean painters, sculptors, etc. per se. Rather, it refers to those folks "with a genius for finding a new answer, a new connection, or a new way of getting things done" (8). These folks are the linchpins of organizations, and while Godin says that they are (or should be) valued and thus command a better salary, so on. Yet the reality is that this is not always the case. Just look at the current economy, not to mention the way many companies mistreat workers to see the evidence contrary to Godin's idealism. I think that is a bit of a problem with the book; the guy is just too idealistic at times. For instance, he often talks about pushing your luck and breaking the rules. If you can afford to do so like him because you are pretty much self-employed, all good and dandy. Try doing that in a restrictive work environment, and you will be given a pink slip. Job loss these days is not a light matter, and no, getting fired does not always mean "it was fate" and something better will come along. As I said, the guy makes some good points, but much of the book is pie-in-the-sky.
Having made the point about much of the book being a bit too optimistic, as I mentioned, the book does make some good points. I would recommend scanning it, finding the good stuff, and skipping the rest. He does have some inspirational stuff for people to try out that is worth considering at least. I know I got some good ideas. So, skim this one. Besides, he can get a bit repetitive, so again, skimming may be best.
The theme of being an artist is pretty prominent in the book. This does not mean painters, sculptors, etc. per se. Rather, it refers to those folks "with a genius for finding a new answer, a new connection, or a new way of getting things done" (8). These folks are the linchpins of organizations, and while Godin says that they are (or should be) valued and thus command a better salary, so on. Yet the reality is that this is not always the case. Just look at the current economy, not to mention the way many companies mistreat workers to see the evidence contrary to Godin's idealism. I think that is a bit of a problem with the book; the guy is just too idealistic at times. For instance, he often talks about pushing your luck and breaking the rules. If you can afford to do so like him because you are pretty much self-employed, all good and dandy. Try doing that in a restrictive work environment, and you will be given a pink slip. Job loss these days is not a light matter, and no, getting fired does not always mean "it was fate" and something better will come along. As I said, the guy makes some good points, but much of the book is pie-in-the-sky.
Having made the point about much of the book being a bit too optimistic, as I mentioned, the book does make some good points. I would recommend scanning it, finding the good stuff, and skipping the rest. He does have some inspirational stuff for people to try out that is worth considering at least. I know I got some good ideas. So, skim this one. Besides, he can get a bit repetitive, so again, skimming may be best.
lexchamber's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book to be highly motivating and had a theme of being innovative and thinking outside the box. I actually bought a linchpin from the hardware store to keep on my desk at work as a reminder to think outside the box.
emilylandry's review against another edition
4.0
I found myself wishing that I had read this book when I still worked at my public radio job, to help me have a better attitude and take charge of improving my own experience there.
tkadlec's review against another edition
5.0
In Linchpin, Godin argues that what the current economy needs, and rewards, is artists - people who refuse to do simply was is expected of them and instead are artists who are always exploring new, often unconventional, solutions and ideas.
At times, Godin can be a little repetitive, but given the spirited way in which he approaches the subject matter, than can be excused. He forces the reader to re-evaluate the way they approach their work and he does so in a refreshingly pragmatic way.
At times, Godin can be a little repetitive, but given the spirited way in which he approaches the subject matter, than can be excused. He forces the reader to re-evaluate the way they approach their work and he does so in a refreshingly pragmatic way.
bmkellie's review against another edition
2.0
In short: this book was a list of buzzwords and tired advice. Work very hard. Be indispensable. Good things will come.