Ep 30 4 Ways to Be Irreplaceable at Work

In this episode, I share four core strategies that will help you consistently add more value, and make yourself indispensable at work. 

In this episode, you'll hear about:

The Current Landscape

Forbes reports that 77% of people are concerned about AI causing job loss within 12 months, but there's a crucial flip side: wages are rising twice as quickly in industries most exposed to AI. The people adding real value have the opportunity to become more valuable and reap the benefits, not less.

Also, employee engagement fell to its lowest level in a decade in 2024, with only 31% of employees engaged. (Look around... that mean that almost 70% of the folks around you could be disengaged!) 

This "perfect storm" creates a massive opportunity for those willing to show up differently. Imagine how much you'll stand out by bringing your absolute best.

Strategy #1: Understand Your Personal Values

When you're clear on your values, you make decisions faster, you're more consistent, and people trust your judgment. Find your values by reflecting on these questions: 

• What were some of your peak experiences? What made them significant? What values were present?
• When you had to make hard decisions, what helped you feel clear about the right path?
• Who inspires you, and what positive traits do you admire in them?
• What makes you frustrated or angry? Our trigger points often reveal our values being violated. 

Strategy #2: Work in Your Strengths

When you work in your strengths, everything flows better. You naturally gravitate toward work that aligns with your strengths and seek additional knowledge in those areas. AI is coming, and workers who thrive will be those who apply human judgment, creativity, and relationship skills. Lean in to your strengths!

To identify your strengths, consider: 

• What have you always enjoyed doing?
• What have others consistently told you you're good at?
• What work gets you completely "in the zone" where time disappears? 

Strategy #3: Master Meeting Management and Facilitation

With most meetings filled with disengaged people just going through the motions, being able to design and run effective meetings makes you invaluable.

Key principles: 

• Clarify the meeting purpose: What will people leave the meeting with? (A decision? Feeling more informed? A solution to a problem? A plan of action?)
• Apply an engaging process: Each purpose requires different conversation types
• Consider the people: Neutralize power differentials, accommodate introverts and extroverts, and address potential conflicts 

Strategy #4: Master Prioritization

Focus on activities that truly move the needle by asking:

• How am I measured?
• What in included in my annual review?
• What's urgent for me or those who depend on me?
• What's coming that I could prepare for?
• What should I be learning to make myself more effective?
• Then prioritize these on your calendar and don't miss those appointments.
• Schedule time for activities that prevent emergencies, not just respond to them. 

Key Statistics:

• 77% of people are concerned about AI job loss (Forbes)
• Only 31% of employees are engaged at work (Gallup 2024) 
• Disengaged employees cost the global economy $8.8 trillion 

Action Steps:

1. Take 15 minutes to identify your top 3 values
2. Notice when you feel most energized and effective at work
3. Volunteer to facilitate the next team meeting
4. Block calendar time for one high-impact activity you usually push to "later"
5. Subscribe to the podcast for deeper dives into each topic

The more value you add, the more valuable you become. Always think about adding more value, and you'll build skills that take you anywhere you want to go. To learn more about my services, subscribe to my newsletter, and for additional tools to enhance your leadership impact, visit ClaireLaughlin.com and connect with me on social channels @Claire Laughlin Consulting.

Sources:

1. National University (2024). "59 AI Job Statistics: Future of U.S. Jobs" Available at: https://www.nu.edu/blog/ai-job-statistics/
2. PwC (2025). "Global AI Jobs Barometer" Available at: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/artificial-intelligence/ai-jobs-barometer.html
3. Forbes Advisor Survey (2023) - (https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/employee-relations/employee-engagement-falls-gallup)
4. Gallup (2024). "U.S. Employee Engagement Sinks to 10-Year Low" Available at: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/654911/employee-engagement-sinks-year-low.aspx
5. Gallup (2024). "State of the Global Workplace: 2025 Report" Available at: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx

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