Am I indispensable?

It has been eight years since Clive and I started Meta Defence Labs, and this month marks that milestone. The idea of running my own cybersecurity business never crossed my mind until a friend convinced us to take the leap. Time has flown by, and here we are. I absolutely love my job, and I wouldn't change it for anything.

During these years, I have learnt countless personal lessons, but one that has truly stood out is the significance of being indispensable in my professional journey. We live in challenging times where unemployment and competition are exceedingly high, and we all need to think about being indispensable, as individuals and as a business. It is a quality I have always aspired to possess and will continue to strive for. I passionately believe that anyone can become an invaluable asset to any organisation or industry they are part of. Today, I want to share my thoughts on how I believe one can achieve this.

We must have the desire or the commitment to continuously add value and to make an impact that goes beyond our job description. This helps us become indispensable in any organisation or a community that we are part of. When we embrace a growth mindset, we can seize every opportunity to gain experience and develop new skills. As security professionals we must stay updated with industry trends, take relevant courses, attend conferences, and actively seek out challenges that push us beyond our comfort zone. By investing in our own growth, we not only enhance our capabilities but also position ourselves as a valuable resource for our team and organisation. Am I adding value to my company? Am I adding value to my industry? This is a question that I ask myself everyday.

It's crucial to understand the big picture of your organisation. Gain a deep understanding of your company's goals, objectives, and strategic priorities. Align and prioritise your work with these overarching aims and demonstrate how your contributions directly impact the success of the organisation. This is not an easy task when you’re an entrepreneur, it’s a constant game of prioritising what you spend your time on. One must always focus on connecting your work to the larger mission.

Indispensability is not solely about individual brilliance, it's about collaboration and teamwork. Cultivate strong relationships with colleagues, both within and outside the immediate team. We should actively seek opportunities to collaborate, share knowledge and contribute to cross-functional projects. By fostering a collaborative environment, we'll become the go-to person for solving problems and driving collective success.

Aspire to be dependable and accountable. I try my best to be consistent in delivering high-quality work, meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations. I take ownership of my responsibilities, and sometimes my teams’ responsibilities, and if setbacks occur, I take them as opportunities for growth and learning. If we can’t consistently demonstrate that we are reliable and don’t hold ourselves accountable, how can we expect people trust us?

Don’t settle for the status quo, constantly seek opportunities for improvement and innovation. Stay curious, ask lots of questions and challenge existing processes by proposing creative solutions. I admit this approach may have landed me into trouble a few times because people don’t like challenges, people don’t like questions being asked and people don’t like change, so it’s very important to find the right balance here in how we approach things. But when we do, we can embrace change and be initiative-taking in identifying areas where we can add value and drive positive transformation.?

Sharing knowledge and empowering others makes us feel empowered. When we foster a culture of knowledge sharing, we should always be generous with our expertise, mentor and support our colleagues, and genuinely help them succeed. Act as a catalyst for growth and development, it will create a ripple effect that magnifies impact and cements our position as indispensable leaders.

Embrace your passion and take pride in your work. The path to becoming indispensable may not happen overnight, but with unwavering dedication, genuine passion, and a commitment to personal growth, we can unlock our full potential. Allow your enthusiasm for excellence to radiate in every undertaking. Remember, true indispensability is not about being irreplaceable, it's about consistently pushing yourself in doing the right thing and making a lasting and meaningful impact.

Be you; Embrace your individuality. Each of us is unique, and it is crucial not to compare ourselves directly to others. Falling into the trap of comparison can lead us astray. There's no point in being envious of what others do or have. Instead, if you find inspiration in someone else's pursuits, take the opportunity to discover your own passions and pursue what truly resonates with you.