How mind mapping software can help you become a linchpin
Aug 13th, 2010 | By Chuck Frey | Category: Discussion
Could mind mapping software be the ultimate “way finding” tool for people who are indispensable in their work? My recent analysis of Seth Godin’s new book says yes.
Godin’s latest book, Linchpin: Are You Indispensable, is the closest thing that I’ve seen to a manifesto for doing business in this second decade of the 21st century. For years, we’ve been told to come to work, follow processes and procedures, and largely place our creative minds on hold – to check them at the door, as it were. There’s only one problem, as Godin points out: During periods of great uncertainty, like those we’re facing right now, “The compliant masses don’t help much when you don’t know what to do next.”
Linchpins and leaders need to be comfortable navigating their organizations through choppy waters, without a reliable map to the future. They must find their way, creating their own map as they go. In times like these, it seems to me that mind mapping software is an indispensable tool for way finding – for helping to discern a path where none exists, and for helping linchpins to make better decisions even when surrounded by uncertainty.
Linchpin is all about doing remarkable work. One way to do that is by being creative. Left to our own devices, we tend to do things that are well within normal. Looking at things creatively, on the other hand, opens up a world of new possibilities. Mind maps help us to be more creative. They enable us to dissect, analyze and solve big problems more easily than any other method. Mind maps also enable us to envision new possibilities and, in general, helps us to contribute more of our unique ideas and our gifts, taking it to a much higher level.
Earlier this week, I reviewed the book, seeking to isolate the character traits of linchpins – people who are indispensable today. The results are contained in the mind map above. When I took this list and bounced it up against the benefits of mind mapping software, I was amazed to discover just how well aligned this type of productivity software is with these important leadership qualities.
What do you think?
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Interesting: A linchpin is (but more was) something that keeps a wheel on its axle. Now they are used for slowly rotating parts as per there original use on slowly rotating wagon wheels. Your ancestors may have used them Chuck to get you where you are now! I had them on my hover mower keeping the handle on the stub axle on the body.
Back to your proposal: "mind mapping software is an indispensable tool for way finding" No it is not. It is one of many. Take the parallel of navigating at sea or on one the Great Lakes. You have a compass, sextant, chart, tide tables, long and lat tables, scale rulers, logs for determining speed, depth gauges: its the combination of all of these that confirms your position. Some may rely on Sat Nav only but it can be switched off or worst still give you an erroneous message.
Mind Mapping software can be very important to the linchpin, if they know how to use it in combination with other tools. They may or may not present their ideas with it. Talking and sowing seeds can be enough.
Sometimes it is good for the linchpin to break and the wheel to fall off. You stop, assess your situation, redesign maybe, restart and maybe go in a less bumpy direction.
The qualities above are indeed thought to be those of a leader. But leaders/linchpins are in the eyes of those who recognize those traits in others. In other words, if management or the bean counters don't see those persons or traits as important, one will not necessarily be "indispensable."
In fact all those things listed, I always thought I was supposed to be doing in any of my jobs, and those are traits that get people hired in the first place.
Chuck, great post as always.
For your interest, Billy Waters submitted a map to the Biggerplate library some time ago that looked at Godin's Linchpin book, and is well worth a look: http://www.biggerplate.com/viewmap.asp?id=825
Best wishes
Liam
Great post Chuck! I certainly agree with you on mindmapping providing one with insight and connections that others (who don't use Mindmapping) can't see.