Should Military and Business Leaders take the position today that anyone is replaceable?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 18:00:20 -0400

RP Members and Connections when Military and Business leaders who adopt the attitude that anyone is replaceable, thinking they can simply hire someone with a greater skillset or someone with a more prestigious pedigree, are fooling themselves.

Do you agree or disagree?

When a company or an organization in the one of the military services has a truly great employee or service member, that employee or service member carries value that simply cannot be replaced. They have extensive military, product, skills, systems, and process knowledge. They hold key relationships that have been built over many years or could take years to duplicate. And great employees and service members have camaraderie and influence with their coworkers, which when lost, has an impact on the corporate/company's/military organization's culture within.

I do realie that members PCS after a certain period of time and Command & Control changes as well, but doesn't that have an adverse affect or can it be a positive affect by getting rid of Toxic Leadership?

Do you agree?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 28 at 2016 6:05 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 18:05:18 -0400

Disagree, if somebody has a better skillset, their going to want a premium wage. Someone that has worked on the same job without higher education training, but learn early on the proper way to do the job, is someone I would keep and give him or her a raise to compensate their tenure.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 6:54 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 18:54:22 -0400

Most companies have the "magic employee" that seems irreplaceable. But the fact is no one is. Or rather, if you allow your company to become so dependent on a single employee that it all comes tumbling down if he/she gets hit by a car or has a heart attack, or simply decides to leave, then you as the owner/CEO have failed in your responsibilities to all the other employees in your company. Can the magic employee never take two weeks off because no one can do what they do?

Of course there will likely be an initial drop off as the new person gets up to speed. But the truth is that the company's future lies in the future, not the past. So a lot of that so called "institutional knowledge" is more of a historical nature than operational. For example, who hasn't taken over a new job in the military, and there is a file cabinet filled with the files of your predecessor. You tell yourself that there must be a ton of invaluable info in there critical to your success. So you vow to read them all soon. But then stuff hits the fan, and you are quickly up to your ass just dealing with today's problems. So the files get put into a box, in order to make room for your folders of "important" stuff.

Before you know it, a couple of years have passed. You never got around to reading those files. They have sat in a corner as you filled up the file cabinet. Now your orders come down for a new job! You go through your file cabinet, keeping all those papers that you are sure your replacement just MUST know about. And off you go. Your boss pins a medal on your chest and tells everyone that he cannot imagine how things will be without you. You were such a rare and special snowflake.

A new guy sits in the desk, looks at the file cabinet, and vows to read through them all quickly. He sees a box in the corner that doesn't look like it's been touched in years, and throws it out to make room for a coat rack. But then as he gets swamped with work, he takes out your files that were SO vital to you, and puts them in a box in the corner, removing the coat rack, so he has room for his files of the REALLY important stuff.

Next thing you know, two years have gone by, and someone asks "what was the name of that guy who had your job two guys ago?" No one in the office remembers, but one old timer says he thinks he was a really good guy.

And the beat (and the mission) goes on.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 28 at 2016 7:01 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 19:01:15 -0400

I would love to say that there are irreplaceable people. I would. And as a leader, no INDIVIDUAL is "replaceable." Each person has a different and unique skillset which can be leveraged by the team. The worst troop you ever get will make your life easier by being the guy you assign all the crap details to. He'll also make your life harder.

As a manager, everyone must be viewed as replaceable. What happens when the unthinkable happens. What happens when COL Mikel J. Burroughs breaks his leg two days before deployment, and we need a new Commander? We find "the next best person" and we do it as fast as we can.

Coming from the USMC, we often use the "I'm training my replacement" mindset. My S2 Chief could fill in for my S-2 O. I could fill in for my S2 Chief, and so forth. This was not because we wanted to replace anyone, but more of a "hope for the best, plan for the worst" concept.

Where I think the business world may have gone wrong is over-competing. Each slot or billet doesn't require the "best" it requires good enough. It requires highly qualified individuals who are capable of accomplishing their duties but demanding the "best" leads to overqualified which promotes "inflation" within the billets. You end up having Sergeants doing LCpl work. You have Colonels filling Lieutenant billets.

Just my take.

Response by TSgt Forrest Kimmel made Jul 28 at 2016 7:10 PM

TSgt Forrest Kimmel — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 19:10:00 -0400

In response, Sir, To tell the honest truth, Anyone is replaceable. I do however disagree with many of the methods used to accomplish it, and many times I have seen it backfire on those responsible. To quote a phrase from the Late Great Charles DeGaulle, "The graveyards are filled with indispensable Men."

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 7:17 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 19:17:37 -0400

You can't be irreplaceable in business. The trick is being hard to replace.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 7:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 19:58:28 -0400

The cartoon says it all.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 28 at 2016 8:12 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 20:12:50 -0400

In the corporate environment, COL Mikel J. Burroughs, anyone and everyone is replaceable. To think otherwise is not prudent. In a large organization, an individual's departure is hardly noticed. No one is indispensable. AIG just terminated their ENTIRE sales force, not just one person. They haven't missed a beat.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 28 at 2016 8:14 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 20:14:11 -0400

Everyone's replaceable to some level. The ethics and issues that come with that answer though is if the individual is worth replacing? What new improvements can the replacement bring that the current cannot? What would be the return of investment when replacing this individual?

Replacing bigger function employees can indeed change the overall organization. We can see over the years how much Apple has changed over the years with Steve Jobs coming in and out.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 28 at 2016 8:22 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 20:22:37 -0400

A person who has worked hard, learned the job and does well is to be rewarded for his/her work. And everyone needs to remember, sooner or later that person will be gone. Management needs to understand that nothing is for ever - even management! If a company is so hung up on one person, then management has failed in planning for the future, unless management doesn't care.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 8:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 20:59:00 -0400

I believe that anyone is replaceable, but if replaced by another that is a weaker leader than this could only make the job harder. there has been times that I have heard leaders say, "man I wish I had 6 more just like you." Another reason why I believe leaders should feel that they are replaceable is because some leaders feel they are invincible and that they are not replaceable. This allows leaders to treat others anyway they want because they can get away with it.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 28 at 2016 9:40 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 21:40:06 -0400

Great Cartoon and So Applicable. Yes everyone is Replaceable but do you truly know what you lose with that experience that walks out the door?

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jul 28 at 2016 10:06 PM

SFC William Farrell — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 22:06:22 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I was trying to think of what to say when i read LTC Private RallyPoint Member. He said it perfectly.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jul 28 at 2016 10:10 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 22:10:28 -0400

I thought everyone was replaceable. P.C.S every two or Three years taught me that.
Maybe times have changed.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 10:46 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 22:46:49 -0400

Brilliant cartoon. I think that in a corporation, yes anyone is replaceable. The rub is that most people will render themselves a liability before they have really made their full contribution to the team. I mean to say that we're our own worst enemy and when we walk our plank - we blame the company.

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Jul 28 at 2016 11:02 PM

PFC Stephen Eric Serati — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 23:02:17 -0400

Dime a dozen,is a tool used to allow you to understand that if You use your collective bargaining rights in a non Union work force you will be replaced ASAP

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2016 11:57 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 23:57:13 -0400

There needs to be a clear distinction between irreplaceable and job security. If employees are constantly made to feel they can (and will) be replaced for unexplained and unforeseen reasons, then they're going to continually be on the look out for the next best thing to move on to. It becomes a never ending cycle that's a major issue with regard to reputation and moral of companies within Corporate America today. It costs companies money, moral and most importantly good will if they don't figure this piece out. I think the missing link is open communication between managers and employees to alleviate the constant underlying threat of job loss. Once that's in place throughout an organization, management can put standard policies and procedures in place, with respect to a reward system (internally and externally) to retain "star" employees. It shouldn't be personal but rather professional (especially, when discussing an employee's performance).

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2016 4:27 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 04:27:15 -0400

I don't think anyone is irreplaceable but that being said I think companies shouldn't treat them that way either. They should treat them with respect and push for improved performance and better training and if that doesn't yield results after legitimate effort then what will be will be.

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made Jul 29 at 2016 5:23 AM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 05:23:15 -0400

This is not a new concept. On 5 August 1981, President Reagan fired 11,359 air traffic controllers. The air traffic control system survived. No one is irreplaceable.

Response by SGT David T. made Jul 29 at 2016 7:38 AM

SGT David T. — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 07:38:36 -0400

Everyone can be replaced. With that being said, there is a cost associated with doing so that can be avoided if the boss takes the time to take care of their subordinates.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 29 at 2016 12:43 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 12:43:19 -0400

Many employees are valuable, bit nobody is irreplaceable.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2016 9:31 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 21:31:36 -0400

The graveyards of the world are full of irreplaceable people

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made Aug 4 at 2016 12:15 PM

Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 12:15:22 -0400

Those that create that culture are Toxic ineffective leaders. Sometimes it is the Best employee that Management, may feel as though that employee can replace them. So they are terminated through no fault of their own. Because we are all replaceable. Hire Character!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2016 1:56 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 13:56:26 -0400

I have seen indispensable people leave even ones that everyone agrees are indispensable. In every case others have stepped in and the mission was carried on. Sometimes things even got better.

Response by PFC Stephen Eric Serati made Aug 7 at 2016 12:07 PM

PFC Stephen Eric Serati — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 12:07:36 -0400

I was alittle off topic,but I've heard it over and over.But on topic,yes it does put a wrench in the perverbial machine,and then sometimes it's a well needed change.Organizationally it may be for the better.

Response by SA Jim Arnold made Aug 7 at 2016 4:21 PM

SA Jim Arnold — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 16:21:06 -0400

Is there a such thing as a perfect balance ???

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 8 at 2016 8:49 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 20:49:12 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs One of the military's strengths is on-going reassignments of personnel. That compels people to learn and adapt. Square pegs do arrive for round holes, great leaders work and succeed w/ the assets available to them! Stagnation in a position does not benefit anyone, everyone then starts accepting the status quo, even though performance has declined thru familiarity by the employee and the leader.

Response by PO1 Robert Gasser made Aug 10 at 2016 1:55 PM

PO1 Robert Gasser — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 13:55:22 -0400

Totally disagree. I've seen this many times. Old boss told me "sign of the times" when I asked him. "Why did you get rid of guys with over 20 years?" Shameful act! I was in the process of talks to go back at the time. Thank god I never went back. Is there no loyalty anymore?

Response by SA Jim Arnold made Aug 12 at 2016 5:33 PM

SA Jim Arnold — Fri, 12 Aug 2016 17:33:28 -0400

I was always told we were all replaceable. I don't feel the one that have told us this, have realized what a replacement requires.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 15 at 2016 3:38 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 15:38:53 -0400

Individual people are one of a kind COL Mikel J. Burroughs and are not replaceable. Try telling parents who have lost a son or daughter that they could simply have another one to replace them and be prepared for an outburst of anger and grief.
That being said most businesses and the military services work on the principle that individual service members are replaceable for the tasks and missions they are responsible to perform. Training, experience and assessments are shuffled to develop service members while meeting the needs of the organizations they are assigned or attached to.
Even the President of the nation is replaceable every 4 to 8 years. Nobody should be indispensable to an organization.

Response by SGT Robert George made Aug 15 at 2016 4:01 PM

SGT Robert George — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 16:01:50 -0400

Good picture COL.

Response by SGT Robert George made Aug 15 at 2016 4:10 PM

SGT Robert George — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 16:10:51 -0400

I dont think its a good idea to voice it that just puts people on edge or wrong attitude but operate policies that suggest you can be terminated if you cant fulfill job requirements !!!

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 16 at 2016 8:31 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 20:31:26 -0400

If you cannot be replaced you cannot be promoted. It is essential that any responsible employee train his/her replacement on a continuing basis.

Response by SFC Anthony Franke made Aug 17 at 2016 6:25 PM

SFC Anthony Franke — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 18:25:49 -0400

It's kind of interesting that I literally was just discussing this point with the people I am training with today. Bottom line is any position can be refilled, but the person is hard to replace.

Response by SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee made Aug 18 at 2016 8:37 AM

SrA Chris "Shadow" McGee — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 08:37:34 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I completely agree. When I left working at the University of iowa to move to Texas, my supervisor had a meeting with me to see where I was leaving them on a few projects, expecting me to pass on lots of work, and expecting me to use my vacation time to pack for my move. Instead I had completion dates, appointment dates or finished reports for everything outstanding. She was shocked that I planned to work until my last day and that I was making sure everything was in order. She stated she never realized how much I did for the department until I was leaving.

The next job I worked at for a little over 2 years, and when I left they had to hire 2 people to replace me. You can treat people like they are replaceable, but you will soon find out that isn't really true. You should hold everyone to the same standards (high ones) but make sure to let them know when they have accomplished something, and that they are appreciated. If you do this, your people are much more likely to hang around, as opposed to when they are treated with indifference. If a person doesn't feel they are contributing, or that they are not appreciated, they are much more likely to move on and you will find yourself hiring twice as many people to do the same job.

Response by SSgt Roy Jones made Aug 18 at 2016 4:21 PM

SSgt Roy Jones — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 16:21:40 -0400

On the military side I would have to say yes. My reasoning is that with all the deployments, reassignments etc, we have all been replaced at some point or another. Great leaders are suppose to build up the personnel to at some point replace them when the time comes, so that the mission does not deviate from its current path of success. My supervisor always told me I'm not training you to a supervisor, I'm training you to be my replacement. The business side however is a different story. You need people that can get the job done regardless for the situation. No one person is made the same, so our skill sets are different. If you have good people in place keep them there, and let them know how valued they truly are. While money is good motivator, everyone likes to be appreciated. And it goes along way.

Response by SPC Louis Copechal made Sep 17 at 2016 2:43 PM

SPC Louis Copechal — Sat, 17 Sep 2016 14:43:31 -0400

When there is toxic leadership it eventually shows up in production. I always live by 1 rule. The BEST WAY to lead is by example! If you want excellent product you need to show your lower ranks or employees the proper methods to a good final product. So if the leadership is toxic then it becomes time to clean house and hire those who show through performance that they believe in their employees or lower ranks!

Response by SPC Thomas Schmidt made Sep 18 at 2016 12:16 PM

SPC Thomas Schmidt — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 12:16:50 -0400

I tend to disagree about them being on new people and getting rid of old. The reason for this is now you have to teach someone new all the skills the last person knew all over again. More training and more money for the business. It's more simple to just keep what you have and just hire on new in new positions or when the previous occupant(s) have left. It just more simple and way easier this way and not to mention cheaper. That's what I think.

Response by Sgt John C Marple made Sep 19 at 2016 10:20 AM

Sgt John C Marple — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 10:20:24 -0400

I remember leaving one job and they had to hire three people to do my job. But no they shouldn't. Sometimes they don't know what they have until they lose it.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Sep 19 at 2016 11:23 AM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 11:23:03 -0400

Unfortunately this has been a mindset of clueless senior business leaders who let their ego get in the way of sound business decisions. They feel that no one could be as smart as they are. Since they don't value the talent they have, they play it off that anyone off the street can do the job that you do.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 19 at 2016 11:28 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 11:28:37 -0400

I'm the only one that was irreplaceable, until I was replaced. Seriously, anyone IS replaceable, in the military the troops can be replaced by a phone call and a little correspondence. I have always felt like senior leadership view the troops like a tool, if you break it the only issue is how long to get a replacement. In private industry, what matters is what have you done lately to improve the bottom line. If you are asked that too many times, you are replaced.

Response by PFC Ronald Maddox made Sep 25 at 2016 12:14 PM

PFC Ronald Maddox — Sun, 25 Sep 2016 12:14:42 -0400

In my experience the only employees not replaceable is the ones closet to the boss

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2016 5:20 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 17:20:47 -0400

In a lot of ways, a good leader/business, etc needs to have this attitude. If you rely so heavily on one person, you're not doing your job and aren't prepared for the possibility that that person may not always be around, for whatever reason.

Response by Candy Alkaabi made Oct 21 at 2016 3:01 PM

Candy Alkaabi — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 15:01:31 -0400

No, because in the end they destroy their own business.

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Dec 2 at 2016 7:04 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 19:04:01 -0500

Toxicity is counterproductive to team performance

Response by GySgt Melissa Gravila made Jan 25 at 2017 3:16 PM

GySgt Melissa Gravila — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 15:16:31 -0500

I don't think everyone is replaceable- I feel one should train people to replace you. What I mean by that is, if I effectively did my job, and trained you well enough to move up to the next level (my level) then I'm training my replacement. I, in turn, should always be taking that initiative to learn what I need to know to move up the chain as well. The thought that everyone is replaceable just kills me! It sits about as well with me as the line "it's not personal, it's business" B.S. don't lie- it IS personal, if it wasn't, you wouldn't be using that as an excuse! As a supervisor, if you have a pproblem with someone's performance, you owe it to them to tell them, if you don't, then you aren't doing your job.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Dec 10 at 2018 10:06 AM

PVT Mark Zehner — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 10:06:54 -0500

To dome degree the answer is yes! In the other hand no loyalty to your employees means no loyalty to the company!

Response by COL John McClellan made Dec 10 at 2018 11:37 AM

COL John McClellan — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 11:37:14 -0500

No. I wouldn't say that, exactly. That attitude as a leader would be corrosive and counter-productive I'd think; and far, far different than recognizing that everyone moves on, or can be killed; and so you have to have training and SOPs and transition processes in place. But you don't lead people with an underlying premise that they are dispensable or fungible. At the same time, you can't "let" certain employees become irreplaceable. Some people are talented or just get good at stuff, or - are beloved; and eventually seem that way - but it's a danger because indeed everyone eventually must be replaced. Some people accumulate knowledge and even responsibilities as a means to make themselves irreplaceable - some kind of job-security strategy, or as a power-play. The aim as a military leader, frankly, should be to make yourself complete dispensable! Your team should be able to function without you, and at a moment's notice.

Response by SGT Mark Estes made Dec 10 at 2018 12:51 PM

SGT Mark Estes — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 12:51:11 -0500

No kidding:)