On Being INVALUABLE and DISPENSABLE --- (MN2M)

(MN2M = My Notes To Myself)

Every employee must continually try to become INVALUABLE in his sphere of work.   He must draw his career path, and work towards it consciously.  Review progress every quarter.   Well, he may have to modify his career-path at times as per work/industry/economy dynamics.  

Unless a person turns invaluable, his Reporting Authority may not notice him (especially in large organisations).

Among other things, a Reporting Authority must surely provide the needed support to his direct reports to make them invaluable.    He would thus facilitate their continual growth.

A Reporting Authority must also ensure to make all his INVALUABLE direct reports ‘DISPENSABLE’.   That is, develop second-level for all critical/important positions.   Thus, he would be de-risking attrition of even invaluable resources by having an able successor readily available.

If a person while trying to become invaluable, also develops his second-level, then he is a ‘leader’ material.   Organisations must have a system to notice such leaders, and facilitate their further growth/development.

Jaikishan (30th Oct 2011)