A linchpin is a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization. And Seth Godin’s aptly titled Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? shares seven ways that you can become just that vital:
1. Providing a unique interface between members of the organization
2. Delivering unique creativity
3. Managing a situation or organization of great complexity
4. Leading customers
5. Inspiring staff
6. Providing deep domain knowledge
7. Possessing a unique talent
One of the book’s key takeaways that is particularly appropriate for high school students is that you can decide for yourself that you want to be a linchpin. You don’t necessarily have to be the most talented person in the group. You don’t need a leadership position. You don’t even need permission. You just have to make the conscious decision to put yourself out there and do the work.
The book doesn’t read like a step-by-step manual because if becoming a linchpin were that easy, everyone would be doing it. But if you read it and really think about how you might apply the lessons to the activities or other work that you care about, you’ll likely come away with ideas that won’t just make you indispensable, but will also help you get into college.