Too Much of a Good Thing: the Downside of Being “Essential”

To be or not to be – essential, that is. Sure, being the “go-to guy” can provide a reassuring boost in job security. And in the IT industry, there are also financial rewards to becoming an expert in a hot technology. But nailing a niche can also put you in professional peril. How do you know when being indispensable is hurting your career instead of helping – and what can you do about it?

Risky Business

“Yes, you can be too essential at your job, and you can get pigeonholed at doing one function,” says Angelo Kinicki, professor at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business. “Both of these possibilities will limit a person’s career.” It may feel great when everyone at work says, “No one else can do what you do”, but it means that you and you alone are permanently wedded to that task. This can prevent you from taking on new assignments that lead to additional experience, professional growth and promotions. Pigeonholing can be particularly crippling if you have your eye on management some day. According to Stanford labor economist Edward P. Lazear, “People who are most likely to end up in leadership positions are ones who have had many different roles throughout their career.”

Sensible Solutions

If you want change, what are your choices? Experts agree that the first step should be to approach your boss. “I recommend that the essential employee go to their boss with their own plan to address the issue,” says executive coach Elene Camass. “For instance, the essential employee should start by identifying another project in their boss’s area that they’d like to learn more about or help with. For example: 25 percent of the time, the [employee] could work on this new project, 25 percent training someone else on what the [employee] does and 50 percent of the time doing their own essential work.”

If your boss is reluctant, you can point out the reality that if you were to leave, your “essential” work would have to be covered by a new, untrained employee with only 2 weeks’ notice. However, this tactic must be used carefully to avoid being perceived as a threat. Other options include going higher up the chain of command. “If your manager will not do anything to rectify the situation, I suggest talking to your boss’s boss or someone in human resources,” says Kinicki. Be sure to maintain the quality of your work while this dialogue is happening, as a continued strong performance will help your cause – or help you find a new job if you get nowhere with your requests.

Of course, there are times when only a specialist will do – like when you’re searching for the best IT jobs available. With more than 15 years of experience in contract, contract-to-hire and direct placement opportunities, Triumph Services can find the right professional match for you and your career goals. Browse available positions now, or contact us to learn more!