This assignment will be simple.
As you read the second to last chapter in Linchpin, leave two pieces of feedback from this chapter. These might be connections you made, examples you have from your life, questions about concepts, or just great point that you want to share.
Then, leave responses to the feedback from two classmates.
That's it. I've left my two pieces of feedback as examples. Feel free to include me as one of your peers when leaving feedback if you wish.
Godin states that there are five key components of personality that will help you develop into a Linchpin: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Emotional Stability.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason in all the other times I've read this book, these haven't hit me like they did this time.
I agree that these are signs of Linchpins. I also like the point Godin makes about when the world of work has shifted from doing things that involve simply heaving lifting to leveraging our personalities, these are more vital than ever.
Here are some examples of my heroes here at LHS and how they have these personality traits -
Openness - Mr. Geiser. He has no hidden agenda. That's for sure. Ask Mr. Geiser something and be ready for a 100 percent, unfiltered honest answer. That is what is so refreshing about talking with him.
Conscientiousness - H. If I ever needed help with something or needed someone in an emergency, H. would likely be the first person I called. He is so caring and personable. One time when I was moving from RLF to TRF, he knew I was going to need boxes to pack. He went out of his way to show me where some old computer boxes were kept and, as is H's way, he said to call him if I needed any help. What a guy!
Extraversion - I wasn't quite sure what this was, so I looked it up. It is basically someone who is an extravert. You know the type of person - if you have a party, they show up and they are the life of the party. If I had to choose someone for this quality, I'd have to go with Hickman. He is so funny and so intelligent (don't tell him I ever wrote this about him) that people gravitate toward him. I could listen to him all day.
Agreeableness - Coach Mumm. What I love about Mumm is that whenever I am doing a presentation or want someone to come into class, I know I can call on Mumm and he will come through. I have asked others in the past, and it's like trying to move mountains to get them to agree to present with me or come into my class. "I'm just so busy" is a common excuse. But not Mumm. If I ask him something, his first response is always "Yes . . . How can we make this work?" I love that!
Emotional Stability- Mr. Zutz. Given the circus that is LHS at times, he is the rock here. Just look at what he did when he spoke at Gracie's prayer service. He was a rock. I never even had Gracie in class, and I was crying! I don't know how he made it through, but he did. He is the foundation for LHS and everyone here.
On page 211 under the heading "Creating a Culture of Connection," Godin writes, "Thus, the individual in the organization who collects, connects, and nurtures relationships is indispensable."
ReplyDeleteI think this is so important in the work you do. It doesn't matter if you teach children as I do or if you work in marketing as my wife does or if you inspect schools and train staff in safety procedures as my sister does or if you run a very successful business and Mr. Berry does or if you are caring for people in hospitals as Ms. Laselle and Ms. Guzek do or if you basically babysit my kids as the students in Latch-key do - relationships are so vital.
Don't underestimate this. I bet the people who have had the greatest impact in your lives have also built the best relationships with you. Do that and you're well on your way to ensuring that you are a Linchpin.
It sounds easy, but people don't often take the time to do this because the world never cared before. But now in this new economy of ours, it matters more than ever.
KoKo's previous place of employment went out of business, in large part, because her boss failed to make strong relationships with the patrons of her store. That's suicide in a small town.
Now there were other factors in the business closing, but relationships - not just with her customers but with her employees - was not her strength. If it had been, I bet the place would still be open.
Godin is saying that you can't just have great skills to be a linchpin, you also have to get yourself known to the rest of the world. To do this, you have to make connections. Even if you have what it takes to become a linchpin, it will not happen unless others know about your abilities.
ReplyDeleteThis reminded me of earlier on in the book when he talks about how one needs both domain knowledge, which would be skills, and problem solving abilities, the connections. Although it is great to have one, you need both of them to succeed in the world.
I agree. It's one thing to brag, but to progress through a career you must showcase your talents. Form connections and broadcast to them the art you can make. Show them why you are different. Give them a gift. By being human you'll continue to grow and be able to express your strengths and talents.
DeleteIt is important to have skills, but it is even more important to make connections. Your ability to connect with people is what future employers are looking at. Linchpins have become so important to their industries because they have so many connections.
Delete"Never burn your bridges" you never know who you will run into in the future. Being able to showcase your attributes in a classy way so others are able to see the talent in you.
DeleteThe mention of having a super power is similar to being a linchpin. A super power is something that lets you stand out when you meet people, it is not a full resume. When people meet you, your resume is probably not what they care about. A super power doesn't mean good or average, it has to be unique and valuable. This super power is part of what makes you a linchpin, but it is not the only thing. Godin's advice about superpowers can be used to help us find ours so that we can stand out to become linchpins.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see that some classes push the importance of a cookie cutter resume, while others argue that it isn't what employers look for anyways. Godin would probably argue that employers looking for a cookie cutter resume are just hiring cogs to build their efficient, cheap factories. If you want to find beneficial, human work, you must create art. Build a resume that shows your human values.
DeleteGodin makes a good point in the last section of the chapter. He states that most employers don't openly broadcast their need for personable people. Even more so, people themselves don't see the true value of human connection. Companies have competed throughout time. McDonald's is fast, Wendy's has the square burger, and Burger King has thick fries. This is how they compete to gain consumer attention. The linchpin needs to compete to gain employer attention, often times being in direct conflict with others searching for jobs and even machines. You need to have a human quality and ability to interact in order to compete and be unique.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. It is necessary to have the ability to interact with others. Making connections and going out of your way, to form those connections, is what makes a linchpin. If you gain the ability to have a genuine connection with everyone you meet, there is no longer need to compete because you have become unique and indispensable.
DeleteTwo examples of the importance of connection are Frank Eliason and the two investment bankers. In the case of Frank, by taking a risk and giving a human gift back to his companies customers, he's created a name for himself. He formed connections that his company values, connections that would make his company suffer if lost. He has become a linchpin. The bank needs the second banker due to his connection to vital investors and customers. Having the right contacts is an incredible way to become a linchpin.
ReplyDeleteThe ability to create a web of relationships can open doors. Executives didn't get to their position by working silently in a cubicle. Most formed relationships, whether it be with the customer, the boss, or someone with more connections. Once you meet the right people you can use your art, gifts, and other methods we've read about to become scarcity, something people want.
This brings up a great point. Is Frank Eliason a great banker? He is important, that's for sure. There are probably other bankers that know more or that can see better investment opportunities, but that doesn't make them better than Frank. Frank does well not because of how smart he is, but with hard he works to make a connection with his clients. These clients are more important than some other clients that are only banking for the money because these clients are there to stay. By adding his personal touch, Frank is a linchpin.
DeleteI like The point Evan brings up. Is he a great banker? He succeeds by making great connections with his clients. He is indispensable.
DeleteGodin talks about the five elements of personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness and Emotional Stability. I agree with Godin when he mentions work is no longer about heavy lifting, it’s about enhancing your personality. You are no longer hire based solely off of your skills. It is more about your personality and how you present yourself then off of your qualifications. Having all five of these elements is what makes a linchpin and gives you the ability to connect with other people.
ReplyDeleteExactly, work used to be based off of measurable skills like strength and production. Now it is more about personality because in today's workplace, you have to work much more with people. When you have a job interview, it is a test of personality because interviewers are looking for linchpins.
DeleteBeing personable is more important now than ever before. Our grandparents worked 9-5 factory jobs not having interaction much with anyone. Factory jobs are becoming less and less and consumerism is becoming more and more. Being personable with the 5 elements you listed above makes you indispensable and a great linchpin if you have those abilities.
DeleteI agree that in todays workforce most of the time personality can get you further than most other traits.
DeleteI also agree with the fact the work in the world today is no longer about heavy lifting. It's not just about your skills either. Your personality and how you present yourself plays a huge role.
DeleteOne main takeaway I got from reading this chapter is the key to being or even becoming a linchpin is by making connections. Lichpins don’t just show up to work everyday on time, do the work and then leave. They put in extra effort because they genuinely care about others. They make connections to help others or improve something, not just to get a raise or promotion. H is an example of this, he will come in before or after school to help you. He does this because he genuinely cares, not for an ulterior motive. Because of this H has made connections and became a linchpin.
ReplyDeleteI agree with that. If you don't put in the extra time in your job then it definitely isn't your linchpin. When you find where you are supposed to be in the workforce then you should easily be able to put time in after hours. It should come naturally as well. No one is pushing you to put in extra hours in your job, it's up to you to decide how much time you're willing to put in.
DeleteI agree. I know tons of people who go through the motions at their jobs and count down the hours until the weekend, or the days until retirement. I want a job that I love waking up for in the morning. I want a job that is meaningful and requires me to make connections and care for people.
DeleteI think that an example of someone that has a lot of emotional stability would be our counsels in our school. Shelley and Stock have to deal with a lot of different situations without getting to personally involved. They have to stay strong for the students that come and talk to them about what is going on in their lives. If students don't see them as emotionally stabile then they would have no one to go to for advice on their life decisions.
ReplyDeleteI agree our counselors are great at helping people in most situations. They get involved in our lives and make it a point to reach out to us and say hi. If they are not emotionally stable then who would we have to go too?
DeleteThis is very true. Our counselors have to deal with a lot of emotional situations. They do a great job of helping students through tough times without getting too personally involved. They have a great amount of emotional stability which is vital to have in their profession.
DeleteI think it is very important to have good people skills. In He's Good with People, he writes about a man who does not do the heavy labor on the team but gets paid more than most of the other workers. His job is to talk to the people and to interact with people all day long. His job is not easily replaced because they think of it as an art. And art is not easily replaceable.
ReplyDeleteI agree, if you don't have good people skills you most likely will just be at a desk job for most of your life. Good people skills normally goes along with confidence, and without confidence you won't be able to present your ideas. Most jobs do require you do have good people skills, and if you don't it will be easy for you to get replaced.
DeleteI like how Godin opens up the chapter with "If you can't sell your ideas, your ideas go nowhere." (210 Godin) I like this idea because if you aren't able to tell people your thoughts and make it come to life, then it's just simply not going to happen. You need to be able to come up with a creative idea on how you are going to get what you want to happen happen. If you think that by just showing someone what you want will be okay, you're wrong. It needs to be able to catch peoples attention so they can imagine the outcome.
ReplyDeleteI agree, no one is going to follow you with an idea if you cannot sell them on it. Your idea will go no where and no one will follow you. You must be able to interact with people and get them to follow you. If you do not then you will never get heard.
DeleteThis is so true. Everyone needs to be confident with their ideas and be able to show the world what they are made of. Shying away will not allow you to get anywhere with you ideas. You have to be passionate about what you have to offer so people see what you see
DeleteOn page 215 he talks about Genuine Gifts, and how powerful they are.
ReplyDeleteAs he states we do have everything we need and all we are buying now is not products or commodities but relationships. "... it's about figuring out who, we can trust and work with and who must be kept at bay." This is true because we buy things for connections and relationships and giving a gift is not about the product itself but the bond you create with that person because of it.
On page 213 Godin talks about being d=good with people. I think this is so important to be good with people. When you can connect with people problem solving becomes so much easier. This reminds me of Reese because she is constantly going out of her curriculum to teach us something so much more than music. She will teach us about deep things like accepting other races, religions, and the LGBT community. This will sometimes cause parents to email or call her about what she is teaching. She always handles every situation so well and then the parents understand why she does what she does. And it's moments like that when you have to be able to connect with people and understand them.
ReplyDeleteI agree. When you connect with people, it helps them think that they're not alone and not totally wrong. I think this helps them work with you because they know you aren't perfect either.
DeleteI like how he starts the chapter. The linchpin can't succeed in isolation. If you don't get your ideas out you won't become a linchpin. You won't get your ideas out there if you isolate them. If your work persuades, you prosper.
ReplyDeleteThis is very true You need to step out into the world to become inspired to create more art. When you are trapped and isolated it becomes very hard to create things that are genuine. So people need to get out of their comfort zone to be able to make art that will get them places.
DeleteI agree. You have to believe and persuade.
DeleteIt is very important when you make genuine connections. We are always so focused on buying products and artificial things, when we should be making genuine relationships with people. When you give genuine gifts, you make genuine connections. It's not about the gift at all but the connection you make when giving. More people need to give back to each other because then we can all experience genuine art.
ReplyDeleteI agree with making a connection instead of buying them artificial things.
DeleteI agree, so many people try to buy peoples affection with materialistic things. This just creates connections that are not genuine and will never grow to their full potential.
DeleteCreating connection, I have a co-worker at hugos who is always making connections. He knows all the regular customers by name and is able to joke around with them. He is a linchpin at what he does. He makes great employee to customer connection.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so cool when people go out of their way to make connections. It shows they actually care about one another.
DeleteI like how Godin talks about not being artificial on pages 213-214 under the "The Problem with the Script" section. If you are trying to follow what the boss or a book says, you are being fake. Humans like interactions - Personal interactions. If you aren't being yourself you will fail. I like how he mentions telemarketer. They follow a script and that's why they have a low conversion rate.
ReplyDeleteI have been caught using the placebo effect many times in life. I give credit to things that probably had nothing to do with the outcome but since it "says" it does things I believe they do when it possibly just be me being the best me possible.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and I think it effects a lot more people than we think, but I think it's awesome. Who cares if it's real or not. If it helps use it to your advantage.
DeleteI liked how it said buisness to buisness sales rarely count on price but more on the connection. Being a Linchpin and creating great relationships with everyone you meet isn't hard. Being respectful and a firm handshake can get you far in life. I think more people should do these simple tasks so when your in need people are willing and WANT to help you.
ReplyDeleteThe way Godin starts out the chapter is very powerful. He talks about being honest and believing in your own product. If we aren't going to be honest - people will notice and your product will be destroyed. If you don't believe in yourself or your product - people will notice and again, your product will be destroyed.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this portion of the linchpin, I can connect Godin's theory to my job. I work at Penneys and on a daily basis I see that some of the associates make good, positive connections with our costumers while others are very fake. Like Godin said at the beginning of this section, people know when you are lying and that does not help the connection at all. Needless to say, all of the associates that build good honest relationships with the costumers sell more and overall do better.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to this at my job to. I work at LatchKey and kids naturally know when you like them and when you don't. I try and gain the kid's respect, especially the older ones, by telling them why I'm happy or upset. I do this so they feel important, respected, and valued. It makes them feel that way because it's coming from an adult, not someone else their age.
DeleteI agree. You can tell when a sales associate isn't being genuine and they are just trying to earn commission. The best associate makes sure all questions and concerns are answered and helps the customer find a product that is right for them, without being overbearing.
DeleteWhen Godin talks about making connections, he says that it is essential to sell your ideas. I like the way he says that because it sounds so simple, but in order to sell your ideas you have to sell your personality, your creative mindset, and the product itself.
ReplyDeleteI liked when Godin talked about genuine and transparent interactions. I agree that if interactions aren't genuine, they never work. I think he makes a good point when he says, "When they are artificial or manipulative, they fail". When you have to follow a script people don't want to listen. Like when he talks about telemarketing having such a low conversation rate, it's because it's not genuine. It's artificial so it fails.
ReplyDeleteWhen Godin talks about creating connections to become indispensable, I think he makes a good point. Those who connect and nurture relationships are indispensable. Relationships and connections play a large role throughout the world. Like he writes, "The memories and connections and experiences of the person in the center of this culture are difficult to scale and hard to replace". Whether a person creates bad or good connections, others don't forget them. This is why those who create lasting connections are indispensable.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. Normally when people say relationship they think of something good, but there are a lot of places where they are known for how terrible the service is.
DeleteWhen he talks about making it personal and having relationships with people it reminds me of One Tree Hill. Haha. When Brooke Davis (Sophia Bush) says "People say it's just business, don't take it personally, well I think business is as personal as it gets." By making it personal you can make it unforgettable. It's your choice if it will be for a good reason, or a bad one.
ReplyDeleteWhen he was talking about the placebo effect it reminded me of How I Met Your Mother. Barney has this magic hangover "fixeralixer". When they were trying to figure out the secret ingredient they figured out it was fake. He gave it to them during the hardest times in their lives to convince them it would get better. Just by being told that it was the "magic trick" they automatically started feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI really liked when Godin talked about how people can see through you no matter how hard you fake it. You may be able to make some people believe you, but not all. When I started working at my job, I learned that sometime it's ok to talk to the kids about how your truly feeling. This makes them feel important and respected because they could relate to us and realize that adults can connect to kids feelings and vis versa.
ReplyDeleteWhen Godin stated that business to business sales rarely count on price, I thought of a story I heard from Reynolds. When he bought his new car, his car dealer thought about HIS interests and knew that he would like the bluetooth feature. His car dealer didn't think about price, he thought about the kind of person he was selling the car to.
ReplyDeleteYour ability to make connections is vital to being a linchpin. I doesn't matter is you are good at your job, if you don't have people skills, you won't get very far. The best sales person gets to know their client. They figure out what they like, their interests, and things that would compliment their personality. They act like a friend to the client and build a relationship to make a sale, and ensure that the client will come back and recommend the business to someone else. Friendly customer service, and connections make the sale.
ReplyDeleteI like Godin's remarks about the placebo effect. Attitude makes a huge difference in your outlook on life, and ultimately your health. I can connect to this because I want to be a doctor. I want my patients to trust me, feel comfortable, and know that I care about them and their family. By doing this, I will be able to make connections and provide the best possible care.
ReplyDelete