NO ONE IS IRREPLACEABLE, NOT EVEN YOU!
John Akpan, MOLDN, SPHRi
Talent Management | Strategic HRBP | People, Culture and DEIB Operations | Compensation, Benefits and Rewards | Employee Relations and Engagement | Training Facilitator | Organization Development | Corporate Service
"Please sir I will appreciate 2-days permission to be absent from work, my best friend is getting married and I will be his groom man'' I said to my boss. I did not end my plea when my boss shouted "Who will clear the files on your table? Who will do this, who will do that? I'm sorry you can't go". Seriously, I felt bad but important too. I felt important because, in my reasoning, I felt valuable and useful to the company.
One day, We lost a colleague of ours to the cold hands of death. We were all sobering, some of us couldn't control our tears when we were summoned for prayer and a minute silence in honor of the death. In less than 30seconds my boss said "May her soul Rest in Peace" and we all chorused "Amen". Then we were ordered back to our different point of duty.
when I got to my office, I was not comfortable with myself so I decided to be a bit inquisitive. Then I asked my boss "Sir who will clear her table and do all that she was doing? My boss smiled and said, "someone will resume tomorrow to take her place".
Honestly, I used to think I was irreplaceable but that reply from my boss taught me that if I was the one who died, someone else would have resumed the next day to replace me.
Hmmmmmmmmm!
1. To those who shout at people at work and make them feel irrelevant, be Careful you're not irreplaceable.
2. To those who act in church like without them things can't be done properly, ask Elijah; God has over 7000 better servants waiting to step in.
3. To those who feel the world revolves around them and should be treated with so much respect, go ask Nebuchadnezzar; he was disgracefully humbled.
4. To those who have no respect to constituted authority by virtue of knowledge/experience/status etc...remember Karma, expect more than what you've done/given because it will always boomerang.
Someday you will go (Death, Retirement, Resignation, Promotion, Transfer, Relocation) And guess what? Work will continue.
- The church will wax stronger.
- Friends will make new friends.
- That thing you think cannot be done without you will not die nor suffer.
Soldiers go Soldiers come but Barracks/Military base remains.. they might miss your ideas, But trust me "YOU ARE NOT IRREPLACEABLE".
Do what you can and let others do theirs. You're NOT more special than others; it's just a Privilege that you're there today.
Be calm,
Be submissive
Be Humble
Be Reasonable
Be Accountable
Be Respectful.
Show Love to others even when they make mistakes.
Your nature is what people will remember you for. It is the memory of you that remains with the people, not you. Bad nature easily overshadows good ones. Therefore, watch your actions because what we have here is really a small WORLD, believed me.
Building Afripik | Graphic Designer at Mavin Records
5 年I love this. Very inspiring...
Global Leader/Trainer on Effective Communication in Healthcare. Formally Practiced as Family Nurse Practitioner at CVS Health| Author| Keynote Speaker| Consultant
6 年Nice write up John. Thanks for sharing.