In today’s new economy, there is a third team of worker in addition to management and labor. Seth Godin describes this team in his book Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? According to Godin, a linchpin is “the essential building locks of great organization.” A linchpin thinks and acts differently to turn to their work into art. Becoming a linchpin is a choice that anyone can make.
The biggest hurdle to becoming a linchpin is overcoming the resistance from the lizard brain. What exactly is the lizard brain? It is the amygdala – the part of your brain responsible for basic survival needs. It is stimulated when ever you feel threatened – even if you’re not consciously aware of a threat.
Personally I have experienced my lizard brain trying to sabotage presenting a new idea at work or expressing my creativity in a new or different way. I know that in order to realize my full potential, I must quiet my lizard brain.
Godin offers several suggestions and techniques to quiet the lizard brain:
- Embrace productivity sites such as Lifehacker.com and implement their tools
- Learn from failure and change tactics and approaches as necessary to realize success
- Seek uncomfortable situations in order to become engaged
- Acknowledge that bad ideas are part of the process to finding good ideas
- You are a genius – the resistance and the lizard brain are trying to convince you otherwise
Acknowledging the lizard brain calls its “bluff.” By overcoming worries, fears and anxiety of the unknown exaggerated by my lizard brain, I know that I will be able to open my mind to the possibilities and focus on my art to becoming a linchpin.
The rest of Godin’s book explains the changing workplace dynamics, how make the choice to become a linchpin, the value of gifts and art, and key aspects and traits of being a linchpin. I highly recommend this book if you feel lost in your current job situation or feel you have more to offer but aren’t quite sure how to start.
Click here for more information about Seth Godin's book Linchpin: Are You Indispensable?
