Linchpin

1. Become Indispensable: The New World of Work Demands Linchpins

The essence of any gift, including the gift of emotional labor, is that you don't do it for a tangible, guaranteed reward. If you do, it's no longer a gift; it's a job.

The economy has shifted. The industrial age of standardized work and interchangeable employees is over. Today's world rewards those who bring creativity, passion, and personal connection to their work. These individuals, called linchpins, are indispensable to their organizations.

Linchpins create art in their work. This doesn't mean painting or sculpture, but rather any work that involves creativity, emotional labor, and personal investment. It's about solving problems, connecting with others, and delivering more than what's merely required.

Becoming indispensable is a choice. It's not about skills or talent, but about the decision to approach your work differently. Linchpins:

• Take initiative and responsibility
• Solve problems creatively
• Build meaningful relationships
• Deliver more than expected
• Embrace uncertainty and change

2. Embrace Your Inner Artist: Art is About Making a Difference

Art is a personal gift that changes the recipient.

Redefine art. Art isn't just about paintings or music. It's any work that creates change, makes connections, and leaves an impact. Everyone has the capacity to be an artist in their field, whether you're a janitor, executive, or anything in between.

Create gifts. True art is given as a gift, without expectation of reciprocation. This gift-giving mentality changes how you approach your work and how others perceive its value. When you create art:

• You invest emotionally in your work
• You focus on making a difference, not just completing tasks
• You build stronger connections with those you serve

Embrace the artist's mindset. This means:

• Taking risks and being vulnerable
• Seeking to make a meaningful impact
• Constantly looking for ways to improve and innovate
• Accepting that not everyone will appreciate your art

3. Overcome the Resistance: Fight Your Lizard Brain

The lizard brain is the source of the resistance.

Understand the resistance. The "lizard brain" is the primitive part of our brain focused on survival and avoiding risk. It creates fear, self-doubt, and procrastination that prevent us from doing our best work and becoming linchpins.

Recognize resistance in action. The resistance manifests as:

• Perfectionism that prevents you from shipping your work
• Busy work that keeps you from tackling important projects
• Self-sabotage and impostor syndrome
• Fear of standing out or taking risks

Strategies to overcome resistance:

• Acknowledge the fear, but act anyway
• Create deadlines and accountability
• Focus on small, manageable steps
• Celebrate the act of shipping, not just perfect outcomes
• Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your art

4. Give Gifts of Your Art: Create Value Through Generosity

The gift is to the giver, and comes back to him.

Shift from transactional to generous. In the new economy, the most valuable work often can't be measured in traditional ways. By approaching your work as a gift, you create more value and build stronger relationships.

The power of emotional labor. Giving gifts of your time, attention, and effort – even when not required – sets you apart. This "emotional labor" is what makes interactions meaningful and creates true value.

Benefits of a gift mindset:

• Builds stronger connections and loyalty
• Creates a positive feedback loop of generosity
• Helps you stand out in a commoditized world
• Brings more meaning and satisfaction to your work

Examples of workplace gifts:

• Going above and beyond for a customer
• Mentoring a colleague
• Solving a problem no one asked you to solve
• Bringing positivity and enthusiasm to your team

5. See the World As It Is: Develop Prajna and Discernment

Seeing clearly means being able to look at a business plan from the point of view of the investor, the entrepreneur, and the market.

Cultivate prajna. This Buddhist concept refers to the ability to see things as they truly are, without attachment or bias. Developing prajna allows you to make better decisions and navigate change more effectively.

Overcome cognitive biases. Our preconceptions and emotional attachments often cloud our judgment. Recognizing and challenging these biases is crucial for seeing situations clearly.

Strategies for developing discernment:

• Practice mindfulness and self-awareness
• Seek diverse perspectives
• Question your assumptions
• Embrace uncertainty and ambiguity
• Focus on facts and data, not just opinions or emotions

Benefits of clear seeing:

• Better problem-solving and decision-making
• Increased adaptability to change
• Improved relationships and communication
• The ability to identify opportunities others miss

6. Make Maps, Don't Follow Them: Be a Linchpin by Leading

There is no map. No map to be a leader, no map to be an artist. I've read hundreds of books about art (in all its forms) and how to do it, and not one has a clue about the map, because there isn't one.

Embrace uncertainty. In today's rapidly changing world, following predetermined paths rarely leads to success. Linchpins create their own maps by taking initiative and charting new territory.

Shift from map-follower to map-maker. This means:

• Taking responsibility for finding solutions
• Being willing to experiment and fail
• Constantly learning and adapting
• Helping others navigate uncertainty

The dangers of map-following:

• Becoming easily replaceable
• Missing opportunities for innovation
• Struggling to adapt to change
• Lacking fulfillment and engagement in your work

Strategies for becoming a map-maker:

• Look for problems to solve, not just tasks to complete
• Ask "what if?" and challenge assumptions
• Seek out new experiences and knowledge
• Take calculated risks and learn from failures
• Share your insights and help others grow

7. Choose to Matter: Your Attitude Determines Your Success

If you can be human at work (not a machine), you'll discover a passion for work you didn't know you had.

Recognize the power of choice. Becoming a linchpin is fundamentally about the choices you make, not innate talent or circumstances. You can choose to approach your work with passion, creativity, and a desire to make a difference.

Shift your mindset. Instead of asking "What's my job?" ask "How can I make a difference?" This simple change in perspective can transform your work and your value to an organization.

Key attitudes of linchpins:

• Proactivity: Taking initiative without being asked
• Curiosity: Constantly learning and seeking improvement
• Resilience: Bouncing back from setbacks and criticism
• Generosity: Focusing on creating value for others
• Optimism: Believing in the possibility of positive change

The compounding effect of attitude. Small shifts in how you approach your work can lead to dramatic changes over time in your career trajectory, job satisfaction, and impact on others.

8. Connect Authentically: Build Relationships Through Honest Signals

We have everything we need, so we're not buying commodities. We're not even buying products. We're buying relationships and stories and magic.

Understand honest signals. Humans are hardwired to detect authenticity in interactions. We pick up on subtle cues in body language, tone, and energy that reveal true intentions and emotions.

The power of genuine connection. In a world of increasing automation and digital interaction, authentic human connection becomes even more valuable. Linchpins excel at creating these meaningful connections.

Strategies for authentic connection:

• Be present and fully engaged in interactions
• Listen actively and empathetically
• Show vulnerability and admit mistakes
• Express genuine enthusiasm and passion
• Follow through on commitments

Benefits of authentic connection:

• Builds trust and loyalty
• Creates memorable experiences
• Differentiates you in a commoditized world
• Leads to more fulfilling work relationships
• Opens doors to new opportunities

Avoid scripted interactions. Memorized scripts and inauthentic attempts at connection are easily detected and often backfire. Focus instead on being genuinely helpful and present in each interaction.

Last updated: January 22, 2025