In today’s volatile economic climate, it seems everyone is looking for greater job security.  Some have mistakenly withdrawn into a shell, keeping what they do “secret” as it were, finding security in the fact that only they can do what they do.  The believe (erroneously, in my opinion) that because nobody else can do what they can do, their situation is secure.

Here’s my take:

There are several flawed assumptions here, here are just a couple.  First, while your unique knowledge requires me to plan more carefully before I let you go, if you’re not cutting it on other levels, you will be terminated regardless of what you know.  Second, if you’re the only one who knows how to do what you do (meaning you’re not training anyone to take your place,) you are going to be stuck right where you are for the rest of your time with this company (because only you can do what you do and you’re busy doing what you do, therefore I can’t give you more responsibility.)  I don’t know how you feel about that, but I don’t have a place in my organization for someone who has no desire to progress.

At the end of the day, the bottom line is always the same:  job security comes from doing a great job and doing it cheerfully.  The ambitious, motivated, cheerful and helpful always have a job somewhere.  Fiefdom builders — those who build walls around their current position (with no intention of ever leaving, nor letting anyone else in,) — are killing the very thing they desire most.  And not only that, it stunts your professional growth.  Because like the title says, if you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted.