The Worst Career Advice I Keep Hearing: “Make Yourself Indispensable”

During a recent conversation, a friend mentioned that someone at work had advised him:

“Make yourself indispensable so the company can’t let you go.”

It wasn’t the first time I’d heard this. Over the years, I’ve heard the same philosophy from many people — early-career engineers trying to stand out, and mid-career professionals trying to survive uncertainty. And I get it. Job fear is real. Becoming “the one person who knows everything” can feel like a shield.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth I’ve learned watching many careers unfold:
Becoming too indispensable can protect your current job — but quietly limit your future.

When a team can’t function without you, it feels validating at first. But there’s a hidden cost: management becomes hesitant to move you, promote you, or give you a bigger role — not because you lack talent, but because they fear the gap you’d leave behind.

Over time, I’ve come to believe there’s a better (and braver) path:

• Share your knowledge
• Document what you build
• Grow others so they can thrive without you
• Remove yourself from the critical path

It may make you more “replaceable” in the short term — but it makes you far more promotable in the long term.

Choose growth over fear. Your career deserves more than job protection.

Be replaceable — so you can rise!