There’s no question in my mind the the world has changed in the past 19 months since the bank-led recession began, and that it’s going to be the same. It’s not just that 10% of the workforce (or more?) is unemployed, it’s that the recession sped up the death spiral that several key industries, and indeed an entire way of working and building a career, was already experiencing.
There was once a day when a person could expect to work for one company for their career and retire with benefits. That concept has been dying over the past two decades but this recession put a stake through it’s heart. It’s not a safe or sane strategy to work under the assumption that there is such a thing as a low-risk/high stability job.
This raises a bunch of really good questions such as: How can I find meaning and fulfillment in my work? How can I succeed in this new world? How can I make myself indispensible? How can I cope with the chaotic new pace of change in the workplace?
Linchpin, the new book from Seth Godin, helps encapsulate both the challenge of the new world of work, and the gives a great perspective on how to develop a mindset that will help you become “indispensible.
Rarely do I recommend a book as highly as I recommend this to you. (Note to Mission staff: The Mission is buying several copies of the book so that we can check it out to any of the staff that would like to read it. See Linda Brenna for details)
There are many excellent points in this book, but let me highlight just a few:
1: Most of us have been brainwashed into believing that our “job” is to do our job and follow instructions. These kinds of jobs are now HIGH RISK/LOW STABILITY jobs.
2. You are NOT an interchangeable piece of an industrial machine. You’re a unique human being and need to build on the strengths, gifts and talents you bring to your job. Unfortunately most of us work as though we are a cog in the machine, even when the situation calls for creativity and innovation.
3. The only way to get what you’re worth is to exert emotional labor, to make your work a labor of love and art.
Don’t take my word for it, read the book.
I believe so strongly that people need this book that I’ve bought 5 copies to give away. Just leave a comment with an explanation of why you’d like to read Linchpin and I’ll pick the 5 best responses. (Note: We’ve given the copies away, thanks for those who participated.)
