Making Yourself Indispensable

About the Author

Mark Samuel is the founder and CEO of IMPAQ, an international consulting firm that teaches organizations how to thrive in the competitive global marketplace. With over 25 years of experience in the field, Samuel has helped thousands of people around the world achieve personal and professional success through the power of accountability. His book, Making Yourself Indispensable: The Power of Personal Accountability, offers readers practical strategies for becoming indispensable at work and in their personal lives by embracing accountability and overcoming obstacles.

Main Idea

The central premise of Making Yourself Indispensable is that the key to achieving personal and professional success lies in embracing accountability. Samuel argues that becoming indispensable doesn't require a fancy degree or a senior management title; instead, it requires a mindset of accountability and a commitment to continuous self-improvement. By taking ownership of their actions and focusing on service to others, individuals can enhance their value and make themselves indispensable in any setting.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Committing to Make Yourself Indispensable
• Ten Behaviors of Indispensability
• Making Choices to Be More Indispensable
• The Road Map
• The Victim Loop
• Intention: Take Charge of Your Life
• The Mind-Set for High Performance
• Recognize Your Current Reality
• The Power of Taking Ownership
• Gaining Strength Through Forgiveness
• Self-Examination to Foster Solutions
• Master Learner – Your Default Response
• Take Action to Be Successful
• The Missing Step: Celebrating Success
• Living an Indispensable Life

Introduction

Imagine waking up every day with enthusiasm, knowing that you are highly valued by your boss and co-workers. Picture feeling secure and in control because you are too valuable to let go, even in times of economic uncertainty. This vision of being indispensable might seem too good to be true, but Mark Samuel assures us that it is attainable by anyone willing to embrace personal accountability.

Samuel emphasizes that making yourself indispensable is not about power or ego; it is about taking charge, overcoming obstacles, and achieving your dreams both at work and at home. He draws on the insights of renowned figures like Oprah Winfrey and Nelson Mandela, who were accountable to their audiences and their people, respectively. Samuel's book is a guide to developing the confidence, happiness, and fulfillment that comes from being indispensable.

Committing to Make Yourself Indispensable

To make yourself indispensable, you must dedicate yourself to being "counted on" by others and yourself. Samuel outlines ten behaviors that are crucial for achieving this status. These behaviors range from being in service to others without expecting anything in return to being dedicated to self-improvement and professional development. By assessing yourself against these behaviors, you can identify areas for improvement and take steps to enhance your indispensability.

Ten Behaviors of Indispensability

Based on his extensive experience in business, Samuel has identified ten behaviors necessary for reaching the status of indispensability. These behaviors include: