True enough, but we've got some systems guys who are pretty darn close. We run an incredibly complicated network consisting of computers from a dozen different manufacturers, some of which we can change and some of which we can't. The list of guys who actually understands most of what the entire system does is REALLY short. There are a couple of guys who can fix virtually anything, and while they aren't technically indispensable, it would take years to train up anyone else on the system.

So "indispensable" may not really be attainable for most of us. But it's possible to be so incredibly useful that people can't imagine what the workplace would be like without you.

My personal pair of pennies,
Dan

Makes no difference. If I lost a top talent, I would get a contractor for 1-2 months while I searched for a replacement. If I did not find what I wanted, i get what comes close and sub out the part that I could not manage with my existing team.

NO ONE is safe. It is niave to think anything else. Trust me. I have been critical before an still saw the boot... I have also seem industry leaders get the boot and although painful for companies, they move on an in a few months they say " Joe who.....":eek:

While no one is indispensable, I was taught a long time ago to be loyal to your trade, not your job. The IT girl who quit because she didn't get her time off, I bet is working today.

Agree. I would have taken the vacation. 2-3 weeks is reasonable, more than that takes real team work... but still should be granted in most large companies. Small companies would be different.

Sorry Jim, had to fix the still pic, so everyone could appreciate Peter's interview with the Bob's :D

+1. I too have been "the guy" (systems/communications/networking) in multi-billion orginazations before...it matters not. In fact, typically a person (or team) can often find a bulls-eye on their back(s) as new management comes in and decides they don't like the associated risks. It's nothing personal, just a conscious business decision and a CTA strategic move. It's en vogue these days to simply outsource the whole dang thing with typically disastrous results (but the band still plays on). It's not necessarily a bad thing though. I always had the philosophy throughout my career that "I can replace this job a lot easier than you can replace me" which was the absolute truth, and I had a good run until I'd simply had enough. I'm sure the young IT girl mentioned earlier was the same way. It's a two way street, and simply "is what it is". NO one is indepsensible (even Rob :)), as houses will continue to be planned, developed, and sold LONG after he is an ancient memory. That typically even applies to CEOs (maybe Wayne is the exception) making tens of millions per year...NO ONE gets out alive in the end, so enjoy the journey just like Rob does :)!!!

Rod, nice upgrade to my post. :)

LOL welcome to my world. I got out of management several years ago and found the perfect technical job, but last month was thrust back into management. My options were to take the promotion or quit. I still might quit.
The political games are silly. Unfortunately I'm pretty good at them so as the new guy I have other managers from other departments trying to form alliances. It's like that stupid "survivor" reality show.
My ace in the hole is that I am not looking for further advancement and am in a financial position that i could quit at any time. I could also go to work for one of several competitors without much effort so there's little or no political stress, only the challenge of out-playing the players. I can still pretty much say whatever is on my mind and get away with it, unlike the peter-principle managers who wouldn't say shoot even if they had a mouth-full.

That's what money is really for. It's not for spending or buying toys, it's for saving and investing and hoarding until you have enough to get true freedom.

A pile of toys and a stack of payments is like being in prison.
Being able to tell any boss, any time, anywhere to go screw himself without having to worry how you are going to keep paying for all your crap is freedom and is worth more than all the toys in the world.

I love this post! Right on Sammyg2!

The fact is there's different strokes for different folks and I just appreciate very much all those people who want to work in a JOB, ain't it great!

Great Reading on the Subject:
Screw It, Lets Do It
Being Happy!
Who Stole My Cheese?
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Compasionate Capitalism
Think and Grow Rich
Why We Want YOU To Be Rich

Further to Sammy's post; I've had many discussions with people in JOBS and there is a little unkown fact about what I call the "electronic leash"; that's the extension of your alarm clock. The clock goes ring-a-ling and you instantly feel this tug on your neck; it's the electronic leash pulling invisibly at you telling you "time for worky; bossy-pooh is tugging at your mind".

The way to dampen the effects of the electronic leash is too be able to effectively take Sams advise....
Easier said than done; but one way for sure is to not carry over extended amounts of debt and have some savings in place; also easier said than done ;) There's a HUGE difference in your train of thought when you release yourself from the electronic leash; once you free yourself from the impending doom of your personal finances, you start making choices in life that make YOU happy and then your life begins to take form to being the way YOU want it to be. FWIW, we're all exactly where we want to be, nobody can change it except for us.

It pains me greatly to agree with SammyG :)! Just kidding...(on the pain part)... and I do agree wholeheartedly, with you too Rob!