"Don't break the rules. Do exactly what you're told. Show up on time.Don't give the boss any grief."Do you remember being told those words while looking for your first job?
Hmmm....how's that working for you? Do you sense there's a career ceiling looming above that you can't seem to break through? Do you feel like others are skipping over you while you playback those words in your head and keep your nose pressed hard against the grindstone? Does it feel like you've hit a wall?
It's not your imagination. It's really happening because you've been deceived.
It turns out that in the new economy the boss isn't as concerned about not breaking the rules if it helps him get where he needs to go. The boss really doesn't want you to do exactly what you're told; he expects you to go beyond what you're told and help him achieve his goals. A smart boss doesn't care if you come in on time if you're helping him accomplish more or accomplish it better than he could without you.
The new economy is about being a linchpin and not a seat warmer. It's about being indispensable by seeing the future and figuring out what you can do to make it happen. It's about seeing all the parts and bringing them together in a new more efficient way. It's not about being irreplaceable and holding the company hostage but indispensable so the company doesn't want to get rid of you and won't.
Do something remarkable, be indispensable.
To learn more about how to become a linchpin check out Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin.
