I worked
in new business development
for a large beverage company
for a number of years.
I worked long hours.
I did research while on vacation.
I was extremely dedicated.
When the executives were given
the mandate
to reduce the already lean organization
by 20%,
my job was one of the first
to be cut.
Some people
were bitter
about having their jobs eliminated.
I expected it.
It wasn’t my first job.
I knew anyone could be
easily replaced.
What I wanted to be
was
missed.
I wanted there to be
an emotional hole
in the organization
when I was gone.
And years later,
an executive told me
that HAD happened.
He said he didn’t realize
the energy I brought
to the team.
As
Seth Godin
shares
“No, you’re not irreplaceable.
No one is,
not really.
But if we work at it,
we might become indispensable.
The linchpin,
someone who would be missed
if they were gone.”
Our goal isn’t
to be irreplaceable.
That’s impossible to achieve.
All of us
can be replaced.
If we care about such things,
our goal is to be missed.