How to make yourself irreplaceable at

work?
While it is always important to keep yourself on the helm of your industry to remain successful, this
becomes more vital in this age of AI and automation. Since organizations are looking ways to cut costs
and streamline their tasks through automation tools, the brunt of this exercise often lies on
unsuspecting employees who, due to their lackadaisical attitude and comfort zones are caught in the
line of fire, like literally.

However, this can also be an opportunity for you to come out of your comfort zone, skill up yourself
and make yourself so important that the HR manager will have second thoughts about replacing you
with any AI code or automation tool. You can, if you want to, make yourself irreplaceable. So, if you
are looking for job security and securing your future, read on.

What makes a person irreplaceable at work? Is it his attitude, or punctuality, or the ability to keep his
bosses happy? The truth is all irreplaceable employees understand this fact that showing up at work
daily and doing your daily tasks is just not enough. The company places high value in employees who
are always looking out for more, dabbling in things that do not form a part of their key responsibility
areas, just out of their curiosity and determination. The manager understands that one such employee
is worth more than two average, hardworking employees. Here are some tips to become
indispensable:

Always come up with new ideas

Ideas is what drives innovation. Most employers who value innovation and have evolved with time
place greater value on employees who regularly come up with new ideas. Whether your role is that
of a manager or that of an intern, it doesn’t matter where the idea is coming from. If you want to
increase your visibility and make yourself irreplaceable at work, one of the best possible ways of doing
the same is to come up with actionable ideas and big-picture ideas.

No idea is too small or big. Whether you want the team to try a different direction of doing things or
want your company to start a new vertical, offer up your ideas to the right person. You only must have
the confidence in yourself and nothing else is required. Do not think whether your idea will be acted
upon or not, as this might serve as a demotivator even before you start. You do your part, and leave
the rest to the concerned person. An employee, who consistently comes up with new ideas is one of
the most valuable business assets of the organization.

Take initiatives

Everyone is doing the tasks assigned to them by the manager. These key responsibility areas are what
the employees were hired for at the first place. But is there something that you can do, which is not
related to your role and will add value to the company? Such tasks are a great opportunity to prove
to your manager and company that you are always willing to go out of your way to ensure the benefit
of the organization more than anything else. This gives the manager a feeling that you are willing to
take on new responsibilities along with the tasks that are on your pate right now. Such hunger for
work and responsibilities is a positive sign and keeps you at the top of the bracket when it comes to
rating employees during performance reviews. It also keeps you immune from any potential pink slips.
If you want to keep yourself irreplaceable wherever you go to work, offer to take on things that
nobody has their eyes on.

Pitch new business opportunities

Being a great asset to a company is not always about doing your work best. It also means that you
recognize yourself with the vision of the company and are ready to share your ideas and visions for
expansion of the business. If you can use your presentation skills to bring in new business or propose
a new business plan to the CEO, your place in the organization will be a few notches higher than what
it is right now. Being a good presenter is a skill that you can teach yourself through practice. Not many
employees can boast of being a good presenter and therefore, if you want to become hard to replace,
its essential to learn this skill.

Think and act out of the box

Every new day at office may not bring a new challenge or opportunity but there are times when you
are stuck and feel tested. These occasions are an opportunity to display an out of the box thinking and
willingness to take challenges head on. When a problem arises, instead of joining the group of
complainants, be one of the few who can offer a thoughtful solution. However, make sure you have
done enough research and diligence to come up with a great alternative. This way, not only boss will
appreciate your problem solving and out of the box thinking but it will also make you the go-to person
whenever such issues are encountered, making you indispensable effectively.

Keep your boss confident

If your boss thinks positively about you, half of the problem is already solved. You know your boss will
have your back even during the lean times. To ensure this happens, spend some time to knowing your
manager on a personal level. While people might label as you a sycophant, but being irreplaceable at
work starts with loyalty. If your boss has confidence in you as a person it will also reflect in his behavior
towards you at work and will boost your confidence ultimately.

Do not be a part of the grapevine

Grapevine is the single most productivity destroyer at workplaces. Instead of wasting your time at
water coolers gossiping about your colleagues, spend that time to learn new skills or read news about
your industry. Achieving goals require focus, hard work, smartness and talent. If you indulge in
grapevine, your focus will be distributed and it will also make your image as someone who talks behind
back. This is not a desirable trait. If you come to know about any gossip and if it affects you personally
or professionally, your boss is the right person to talk to.

The most successful employees are those who make the work of their managers easy. Bosses love to
keep such employees around for the longest time and always give them top preference while making
tough choices.