Linchpins Unite to Make a Difference

Seth Godinis at it again.  On June 14, 2010 at 8pm est – Linchpins around the globe will unite to share, network, connect and collaborate. All inspired by Seth Godin.

Ever since his book Tribescame out and he invited the hale and hearty to purchase his book sight unseen two months before publication and join his TRIIIBES ning and band together – I have been a fan.

So when Seth raised the call for people to host/sponsor/attend this Linchpin event I jumped in with both feet and selected a location in Hudson, OH.

So what is a linchpin?

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.

Seth describes linchpins as artists – people who bring an undeniable passion to their work.

In a quote from the Amazon description:

Work that you put your heart and soul into. Work that matters. Work that you gladly sacrifice all other alternatives for. As a working artist and cartoonist myself, I know exactly what he means. It’s not what you do, it’s the way that you do it.

The only people who have a hope of becoming linchpins in any organization, who have any hope of changing anything for the better in real terms, are those who have the capacity to do “emotional work” at a high level—to be true artists at whatever they set their minds on doing. The guys who just plod around the office corridors, just turning up for their paycheck…. Well, those guys don’t have a prayer, poor things. The world is just too interesting and competitive now.

When I worked for Pearle Vision, I would often work six days a week; starting before 7am and often working late into the night or returning to the office after putting my children to bed. My father would say “Why are you working so hard – it doesn’t say Debbie Vision over the door?”

I would reply, “It is just how I have to work. It doesn’t matter if no one care…I care and to me, it does say “Debbie Vision.” 

He would shake his head and mutter something about working myself sick and to some extent he was right.  But I had a passion for making a difference and it is that same passion I bring to my own customers.  For although the name of my company still isn’t my own – the stamp on my work has my name written all over it. Just like yours does.

I look forward to meeting other such passionate individuals at the up coming Linchpin event and I would encourage you to find an event or host one yourself this coming June 14th.

Sharing our passion for what we do is a great way to learn new ways to make the customer experience better, to market ourselves better, to learn from each other to be more effective.

So are you indispensable?