I think too much emphasis is placed on the “reasoning” portion of Rand’s argument by many.  I believe to understand her full meaning we must use “moral reasoning”; “check your premises” as it were.  Morality is not only thought, but felt.  We all have an innate sense of morality perhaps most simply defined as “do unto others as you would have done to you.”  If you put yourself at the center of your moral reasoning, and treat others the same, it is doubtful that you would rob, lie, steel or cheat them.  Furthermore, it is a basic human need to be emotionally needed (some might call it loved).  A person who follows Rand’s philosophy attains this by understanding her potential and exercising herself toward achieving it.  Taking full responsibility for achieving it.  It is this effort that gives them purpose and for which they seek acknowledgement.  When Rearden tells the Science rep. he won’t sell the right to Rearden metal because, he says, “It’s mine,” he is saying “it is my creativity (what Godin says we should do), it is my passion, it is my effort, I am proud of it.”  This is not greed or unbound pride and that is exactly Rand’s point.  Even now, when people label her characters of Rearden and Dagne and Gault as “greedy” they are doing so based on the same premise she sought to expose.  That premise being that if we all, as individuals, put ourselves first using our own minds to think and create to the best of our abilities, we would achieve personal fulfillment and we would potentially benefit those around us. Again, I think this is the same thing Godin is saying when he defines a Linchpin. 

Those who still insists the characters are “greedy” are likely those that refuse to give credit where credit is due.  Those who still believe that the company or the government will (and should) take care of them.  They are those who believe that they have some right to what Rearden and his modern-day counterparts create.  Why do they think this?  Why do they try to make those who prosper from the creative use of their minds and emotional effort (which Godin defnes in Linchpin) try to feel as if they have somehow thumbed their noses at the rest of society instead of thanking them for their accomplishments?  In Linchpin, Godin says stay away from these people.  Your creativity IS valuable and there ARE places where it will be gracefully and gratefully accepted and even celebrated. 

Reason is good and even necessary.  But passion, creativity and the willingness to put in the emotional effort to work toward a solution MUST preceded these or the reason and effort will not survive.  Godin says as much himself when he tells the story of the man who invented different nails to help prevent hurricane devastation. Rand’s main characters were incredibly passionate about finding new ways to do things better, faster cheaper.  In “the valley” that’s all they did with no desire or search for monetary recompense.  They wished only to be able to stop being expected to apologize that they worked hard to use their creativity and in the process created things that benefited mankind.  I think we are fortunate today that we are beginning to see a group of people and organizations that are starting to stand up and say what Godin is saying.  You ARE a genius.  You DO have value.  You should NOT be treated like an irreplaceable cog.  Use your genius and your passion to create something that will fulfill YOURSELF and be PROUD of it.  It is likely that, if you do this, you will benefit those around you as well.

If we all only focused on being the best we could be and let others focus on the same, Godin and Rand would be proud.  And so would we.