BAU:Lesson 1 - Never be irreplaceable

Never ever be irreplaceable in your line of work.

If you are irreplaceable, it means no one can do the work that you do. This in turn means that your firm does not see anyone else who can deliver the quality that you can.

Such a perception can be a major setback to your career because your firm will find it difficult to promote you and fill your place with someone else.

Although many a times we strive hard to perform at our best, there are two different ways to look at it.
One: The firm will never fire you because you perform so well in your tasks.
Second: The firm will also NOT promote you, because they can't find your replacement so easily.

How to tackle this? I have a suggestion - a personal one ofcourse, so take it with a pill.

You need to maintain your skills in a such a manner that you offer a better deal than your peers, but at the same time ensure that you are not percieved as "the best" in that field.

It is a difficult task to do. So even after doing it all, if you can't bring your firm to realize that you too have a career, then I personally think it's time to re-evaluate your options.

Again take this harsh advice "with a pill".

technorati tags:BAU, Irreplaceable

Being An Underperformer - Curtain Raiser

Today, I am starting with a series titled "Being an Underperformer". Since the title is, sort of, long, I'll be using "BAU" to refer to it.

So all my posts titled "BAU" will indicate that the post belongs to the series "Being an Underperformer".

Each post will be in the form of "Lessons". So you will have "Lesson 1", "Lesson 2", and so on. Why "Lesson" you may ask? Well, because each post will have something that I want to tell readers NOT to do at workplace.

I know some lessons can raise a controversy. I also know that many of you may not agree to some of my thoughts too. So understand that these thoughts have originated from something I have experienced first hand or have seen it happening to others. So sometimes the lessons can be totally based on the situation which may never ever happen to you in a lifetime. To which I would say "Good. Consider yourself lucky. Because all my lessons are based on what NOT to do."

Another thing I want to point out is that I will keep the titles of all the lessons "negative". As in beginning with "Do not" or "Never". But once in a while I may come across a topic that I may not be able to put it as a "Do not" or a "Never" topic. So please bear with me on that.

For my new readers who wants to get upto speed on the background of the series, I will link the words "BAU" in each of my lessons to this post.

Other than this, I think we are good to go.

technorati tags:BAU, Curtain_Raiser

Waking up

It has been a deep slumber since June 2006 to February 2007. But now the meek cubicle animal is awake. What woke it, I do not know. But I feel I got the purpose clear after a long meditation on what I want this blog to represent.

The moment of truth is finally here...

From this day onwards, I am starting a series titled "Being an Underperformer: Things that you should NOT do at your workplace".
This series will be a weekly post, in which I will highlight one lesson on what you should NOT do at your workplace.
All these lessons will be written to guide you be satisfied at your workplace, but with a little dash of humor and fun to drive home the point I am making.
I will try not to make it too serious that you eventually switch off. At the same time, I will try not sound completely stupid also.

The first lesson begins on Monday. I have chosen this day because many people call it "Blue Monday" and find it hard to come to terms that there is a whole week ahead of them before they can enjoy the next holiday.


So keep an eye on this place each Monday. It may lighten up your mood and prepare you to face the oncoming week, head-on.