Job retention in a recession

“Worth a read?” is not your ordinary book review; it is a meta-review. In other words, it provides an overview of the opinions contained in a variety of book reviews published in the media at large. This week’s meta-review is of “Linchpin”, written by Seth Godin and released in South Africa in March 2010.

What is it all about?

In today’s global economic crunch, no employee can afford simply to arrive at the office on time, mull away the day half-heartedly and then drive home again at 5 p.m. To secure your position, you need to make yourself indispensable to your company. In other words, you need to be a linchpin.

Like the small pieces of hardware that keep a wheel in place, linchpins may not be famous, but they are indispensable. Linchpins are leaders and inventors. They create order out of chaos and see links between seemingly disparate ideas. They connect people and find shortcuts that others have missed.

In “Linchpin”, author Seth Godin places particular emphasis on the fact that linchpins regard their work as a form of art. They pour themselves into their work with passion and dedication, regardless of whether or not they receive recognition or compensation. For them, their work is their art, and achievements in the workplace become their own.

Godin also discusses what he calls the “lizard brain” – that part in all of us which fears taking risks and prefers the safety of anonymity. Without trying new things and fighting the urge to conform, you stand no chance of becoming a linchpin.

“Linchpin” urges you to change your perception of the workplace and your role in it, and to forsake the system. By becoming a linchpin, you will have your pick of opportunities and not run the risk of disappearing into obscurity within your company.

Who is the author?

Seth Godin is an entrepreneur, speaker, business blogger and the author of numerous marketing books, many of which have become international best-sellers.

He is also the founder of Squidoo.com, a community website to which anyone can contribute.

Godin is perhaps the only business guru to have an action figure.

What do others say?

The launch of “Linchpin” generated significant interest due to the fact that the media did not receive review copies in the traditional way. Instead, Godin sent copies to readers and followers who form part of his extensive online network, thus generating a plethora of ‘citizen reviews’.

“Linchpin” lies somewhere between a business and self-help book. Some have criticised it for being too preachy and full of marketing speak, but others have found serious business insights, particularly in those chapters dealing with work-as-art and the “lizard brain”.

Neither will you find the usual recipe approach to succeeding which is common to most self-help books. Godin is not about to give you exact instructions on how to become indispensable; if you want to be a linchpin, you will have to develop your own road map.

At the very least, “Linchpin” will give you an excuse to do things differently – put the grunt work aside, ignore your boss’s instructions and wear shorts to work.

“Business Pundit”: “I recommend it for everybody. I would especially encourage you to read it if you’re in a disappointing job, discouraged about work, or feel stuck in your business or career. ‘Linchpin’ has a magic about it. Don’t miss it.”

“The Huffington Post”: “’Linchpin’ could be Mr Godin’s greatest work so far. He treats the subject with history and sociology as well as a compelling mix of fact, story and philosophy. Using examples that will both shock and inspire, ‘Linchpin’ leaves you feeling like you have no choice but to reassess your current situation and make the changes he so eloquently urges us toward.”

How do I get hold of it?

“Linchpin” is published in South Africa by Penguin Books. It is available at Exclusive Books at a price of approximately R205.00.