Seth Godin uses the term Linchpin in his new book, Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?, to describe a certain kind of person.
A linchpin, as Seth describes it, is somebody in an organization who is indispensable, who cannot be replaced—her role is just far too unique and valuable. And then he goes on to say, “well, seriously folks, you need to be one of these people, you really do. To not be one is economic and career suicide.”
In another interview, Seth said, “[linchpin's] are those crazy people we can’t live without, people who bring art to work, people who reach out, make a connection, cause change to happen. The linchpin is the person who is indispensable, because they refuse to become an interchangeable part, someone who merely follows the manual. In the hardware store, the linchpin is a lightweight little piece that holds the wheel to the axle. Very difficult to live without.”
Are you a Linchpin? And if not, why not?
Me (on the far right), lucky to be at a dinner with Seth Godin
