“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.”
There are 2 ways to make yourself more bulletproof to an employer:
1: Take initiative. Anticipate needs in the workplace. Is there an ongoing problem that you can solve? Is there a hole in the department that you can fill? Get to know one aspect of the business better than anyone else in the department and become the “go-to person” on that topic.
- You need to have skills that aren’t easily replaced. Skills are what set you apart from other employees. If everyone else is good at Skill A and Skill B, you should learn and perfect Skill C.
I know it sounds corny. but I wanted to share. I think it’s good advice. And I’m feeling the love for my fellow employees today.
True story. I work in a profit center at WFC. Everyone is very good at doing what needs to be done to generate said profits. That is what we were rewarded for doing. So, we hired a woman about 10 years ago. She was hired to do the same as us, but saw that everyone was only interested in the fun part of the job, which was generating profits. And none of us had any interest in the regulatory aspects of the business. (Embarrassing, but true.) Compliance was boring and complicated and we probably knew just enough to be dangerous. The new gal saw the hole in the department and made a name for herself by learning it all in depth. Soon we were all coming to her to ask questions. She was included in every meeting. Now she is, for the most part, running the show. And my colleagues, who all do the same thing, are getting laid off. There are too many of us, one as good as the next, but only one of her. She made herself irreplaceable. Smart gal, right? You can’t even be mad at her, because she is great.
Hope this helps someone on this board. Take care and good luck as we travel down this path together.