Note: this post was originally posted in The Code Factory’s blog The Road Less Traveled.

For me, one of the biggest revelations that came from reading Seth Godin’s latest book Linchpin is that getting a better job doesn’t mean quitting.

In the fall of 1997 I returned to work refreshed and energized after a year long sabbatical. I was (and still am) eager as hell to execute my vision of bringing telecommunications into the 21st century; in particular, moving a traditional telecommunications company toward a more collaborative, innovative, agile and open environment; one that partners with it’s suppliers and customers to build a better service.

Technically speaking, I’m not in a position of power within my company to actually do any of those things. I’m basically middle management. I started TeamCamp in the fall of 2008 because I was quite frankly bored with the content and seemingly glacial progress I was making at work. I decided to take the matter into my own hands and find other like-minded people that were interested in building web apps and learning about what it takes to be an entrepreneur.

A funny thing happened. Not only did I learn about starting my own business, agile development, minimum viable product, open source, etc., I also got better at my day job: I took more risks, I aggressively pushed my peers, my staff and management to think “outside the box”. I pushed the IT department to modernize the development process, I pushed Marketing to become more customer-focussed, I pushed our Technology team to become more agile, I pushed HR to introduce a better learning and development environment.

Still, I was afraid that if I pushed too hard I was going to piss somebody off and get myself fired. It didn’t happen. I started getting more challenging projects and more recognition.

Then I started pushing more; I cautiously started telling folks at the office about TeamCamp. Again, initially I was concerned that telling my boss and other key executives that I run a group that turns good ideas into startups might end up getting me the ‘boot’. It didn’t happen. Instead, I got put on a team to develop my company’s 2020 vision and strategy.

Suddenly, I feel like I’m beginning to achieve the vision I that had when I first returned to work in 2007. In doing so, I feel good about myself, and I believe I’ve become more valuable.

The lesson I learned is this: If you’re unhappy with your job then for God’s sake do something about it. If you think there’s a better way to do something: learn about it. Write a proposal. Ask to try something new. If you think you can do something better yourself then try it. Only good things will come of it. Do these things and you will become a linchpin, and you’ll be a hell of a lot happier with yourself.

- Chris

PS – If you’re interested in becoming a linchpin, Seth has posted a 45 minute-long live recording of a master class session he did last week in New York. Download LinchpinSessionSethGodinApril (Used with permission – see this post by Seth Godin)