INDISPENSABILITY DOES NOT EQUATE TO JOB SECURITY
But being indispensable at work in the belief that it equates to job security is not necessarily a good idea either. For one, it may lead to burnout, stress, or even resentment, especially if employees pursue unsustainable work hours and habits like saying yes to every assignment.
It may also mean missing out on opportunities outside of immediate work duties, such as learning and development. We risk losing touch with industry trends, making it more difficult to make meaningful contributions in the future.
Compromising your well-being and chasing the need to be indispensable could even backfire and actually reduce the potential for growth and promotion. If we become so good at our job that no one else can replace us we might get passed over for promotion when new opportunities arise.
Indispensable employees may also create bottlenecks or dependencies that hinder the efficiency and innovation of the organisation. Especially for those in managerial positions, being indispensable and constantly the go-to person can limit our effectiveness if we underutilise our team, inevitably sabotaging our careers.
STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE
So if becoming indispensable isn’t the answer and being too replaceable isn’t ideal either, how can we strike the right balance between the two?
In Visier’s extensive experience working with companies, employers want someone adaptable, collaborative, proactive, and who can align their goals and values with the organisation’s vision and mission.