Here are nine traits of a successful linchpin!
❎ (1) Reliability: Reliability and consistently delivering on commitments are linchpin traits in many situations.
When friends and colleagues can rely on you, you become indispensable to the team or organization.
❎ (2) Adaptability: In rapidly changing environments, adapting to new circumstances, technologies, or challenges is crucial.
Those who can quickly pivot and learn are often linchpins.
❎ (3) Problem-solving skills: Individuals who excel at finding solutions to complex problems and can think critically are often seen as linchpins because they can help overcome obstacles and drive progress.
“I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail.”― Abraham Maslow
You can practise your problem-solving: I started playing brain games with Lumosity in 2009 and have still since then on and off.
❎(4) Leadership: Leadership qualities, such as the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide others, are linchpin traits in roles that require leading teams or driving organizational change.
A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. —Lao Tzu
Resource: The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene
❎(5) Communication: In many roles, effective verbal and written communication is essential. Being able to convey ideas clearly and collaborate with others is a linchpin trait.
Even if you speak the same language, you will still come to the point where you might need more clarification meetings and discussions.
“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.”
❎(6) Innovation: Those who can develop new ideas, products, or processes that lead to growth and improvement are often considered linchpins in innovative industries.
It is OK to try new things, even if we suck at first.
“Organizations must learn to tap the unrealized potential in their workforce by giving employees greater freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and take calculated risks.” — Daniel Burrus
Resource: It depends on the Ands by Christian Peter
❎(7) Ownership: Taking proactive steps to identify and address issues or opportunities without waiting for instructions can set individuals apart as linchpins.
“The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.”― Barack Obama
❎(8) Teamwork: Being a team player and fostering positive working relationships with colleagues is critical in many organizations. Linchpin team members contribute to a positive and productive team dynamic.
This is also a challenging role and task for many of us.
Working as a cohesive team means navigating well as an individual and aligning as an entire unit.
“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” ― Michael Jordan
❎(9) Integrity: Maintaining high ethical standards and demonstrating honesty and trustworthiness can make someone a linchpin, as they are seen as reliable and ethical contributors.
This is an essential topic for all of us. Having a code of conduct and set of values is critical.
“Top 15 Things Money Can’t Buy Time. Happiness. Inner Peace. Integrity. Love. Character. Manners. Health. Respect. Morals. Trust. Patience. Class. Common sense. Dignity.”― Roy T. Bennett
What is the one lesson that you take away? And do you want to take your skills further?
