Actionable Books

Linchpin

Published by Portfolio

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A Linchpin is someone who provides value beyond their job description.  They bring passion to their work, and are constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve existing processes.  Through this workshop, we will explore the key traits of a Linchpin and help your team understand the growing importance of becoming one themselves.

Exercise Overview

1 Lecture (10 minutes)   |   “Choosing to be inspired”

A recap of the article, as well as a brief discussion on how passion is a mindset we bring to work, not one that we are given at work.

2 Solo Exercise & Discussion (30 minutes)  |   “Work Shipping”

An exercise in which each team member looks at the list of projects they’d “like” to complete at some point – things without firm deadlines, but which could provide significant value.  These are the projects that require us to create firm “ship dates” – the date we set for completion.

3 Group Discussion (5 minutes)   |    “Mandatory Choice”

A discussion around the fact that, at the end of the day, whether or not we choose to become a Linchpin is up to us.  Whether or not we choose to provide value beyond our job description is up to us.  Now, more than ever, success is a choice that we get to and have to make.

Key Deliverables

This workshop is a foundational building block for helping your staff members understand and embrace the concept of the Salaried Entrepreneur (what Seth calls a “Linchpin”).  Upon completion of this workshop, your team members will appreciate the value and importance of innovating, and will have an increased sense of responsibility for making their jobs mean more in reality than what it does on paper.

Make sure you bring your personal calendar to this workshop, in addition to the standard pen and paper.  This is a standalone workshop, and no additional follow up work is required.