How to Be Indispensable

Stand out in a cutthroat world.

Being indispensable in the current competitive world requires distinguishing yourself from the vast unwashed masses. It entails being so vital to one’s organization or team that your absence is significantly felt. The foundation of this hallowed status is the willingness to do the tasks that no one else wants to. That’s right: you have to pay the price.

The acquisition of this mindset is 80 percent of the battle, and then there are more ways to become indispensable:

Build Your Foundation

• Keep showing up. Before we get too far, let’s establish a foundation. To be indispensable, you have to keep showing up. Day after day. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year. Being indispensable is a war of attrition, so keep showing up.

• Do the shit no one else wants to do. Another basic: indispensable people are willing to do the shit work that other won’t. In fact, you should view shit work as an opportunity to demonstrate how indispensable you are. If all tasks were unicorns farting pixie dust, everyone would be indispensable.

Develop Rare and Valuable Skills

• Identify unique skills in demand. Look for skills that are in high demand within your industry but are possessed by few—often because they are difficult, tedious, or time-consuming.

• Commit to continuous learning. Dedicate time to hone these skills through courses, practice, and application. The more proficient you become, the more indispensable you are to your organization.

  

Set Exceptionally High Standards

• Become a problem-solver. Cultivate the ability to identify and solve problems. If you don’t know how to solve a problem, figure it out. Your goal should be to seldom, if ever, ask your boss how to do something.

• Deliver quality consistently. Strive for excellence in every task you undertake. High standards in your work will not only enhance your reputation but also make you a go-to person for important projects.

Make Your Boss Look Good

• Align with your boss’s goals. Understand your boss’s objectives and contribute directly to their success. When you make your boss look good, you look good. The rising tide floats all boats.

• Anticipate needs. Stay one step ahead by anticipating the needs of your boss and the organization. Taking initiative will make you an indispensable ally and done well, will make you a complimentary superpower.

  

Conclusion

Becoming indispensable requires dedication, humility, and good judgment about what counts. Using these tactics, you can enhance your job and career. By paying the price, you’ll keep your job and gain access to growth opportunities. So forget trying to do the minimum to get by and strive to be indispensable to win in life.

Remarkable People Podcast

In my latest podcast episode, you can explore tribal psychology with Michael Morris. Learn how peer, hero, and ancestor instincts shape leadership, culture, and human behavior in organizations.

Tune in here!

Mahalo!

Guy