What in the World Is a Linchpin?

In Cobra Kai season 5, sensei Terry Silver, in his office, interviews his student, Kenny Payne. Terry sees Kenny's potential as a leader and relays the idea to Kenny. Kenny then asks his sensei, "What do you want me to do?" Terry replies, "I want you to stop asking that question."

"Linchpin" is the word Seth Godin uses to describe a type of person that's so indispensable and that brings so much value into an organization, that the organization can't afford to lose them. Doing so would kill the organization. Linchpins don't follow the rules; they make their own. They don't ask people what they should do; they simply do.

In the book, organizations are compared to machines. Machines have linchpins and cogs. Linchpins are irreplaceable parts that will break the machine if removed. Cogs can easily be replaced. A linchpin provides a lot more value to an organization than a cog. Cogs produce commodities because they follow a system, manual or a defined set of rules. Linchpins, on the other hand, produce art or emotional work, while breaking the rules.

Some good questions to ponder while reading the book:

• Am I just a cog in the system?
• Am I asking "What do you want me to do?" too much?
• What creative solution can I create/invent today, to break the rules in order to provide more value to the organization?
• What kinds of gifts can I give, without getting anything in return?

Here are some other descriptions of a linchpin, used in the book: genius, gets the world unstuck, artist, indispensable, breaks rules, give gifts. There's more to it, and I know this brief description won't do Seth Godin any justice, so just read the book yourself. This is a must-read for anyone who looks up to me as a coach or mentor.

Here's a brief review of the book:

This book has changed my life. It has helped me see that there is a better way to work. People crave for human connection; and it really changes if what you produce gives them that. Connect with your customers and put your heart into you work, just like an artist. Artists can gain a reputation, and can even set their own price for their work. It may take some time, and you may not see changes immediately. But changing the way you see yourself, and consistently bringing in emotional work will eventually change the way others will see you. And it will change your world.