Making Yourself Indispensable: The Power of Personal Accountability

by Mark Samuel

Imagine waking up with enthusiasm every workday. Imagine being certain that you are highly valued by your boss and coworkers. Imagine feeling secure and in control because, even if jobs are being eliminated, you're too valuable to let go. In other words, imagine being indispensable.  
Sound too good to be true? Not according to Mark Samuel, who has helped thousands of people around the world get on the path to personal achievement and fulfillment. He shows why the key to becoming indispensable is to embrace accountability rather than run from it, in everything you do at work and in your personal life.
You'll see how Samuel's Personal Accountability Model really worked for people such
·         Lynn, who transformed herself from the worst teacher at her school to one of the most respected.
·         Dan, an office assistant of ten years who finally figured out how to jumpstart his career.
·         Mary, a super visor who had continually been skipped over for promotion, until she finally decided to stop "playing it small."
·         Jerry, a plant manager who got stuck in a "victim loop" when his division began to underperform. Only when he stopped blaming others could he find the energy and ideas to help his plant overcome its challenges.
Becoming indispensable doesn't require a fancy degree, a senior management title, or a huge income. It's a mind-set available to anyone, as you'll learn from these and other inspiring true stories. You'll also discover Samuel's proven strategies for letting go of victimhood, figuring out what's really holding you back, and taking smart actions to achieve your highest goals.

Genres: Business, Self Help, Nonfiction, Personal Development

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2012

Reviews

[Eric C 1965 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly enjoyable.

[Blake Coats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read like a standard professional development book - there were a few good motivational sections (such as the chapters on forgiveness and action), but not much of anything particularly groundbreaking. The writing style and tone were well done and positive, so that was a nice bonus to bring it up to 3 stars.

[Rosanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for work and tbh the only reason I finished it was because somebody paid me to read it. For a self help book reiterating all the neoliberal ‘make-your-own-happiness’ it isn’t the worst. The visualisation is nice and it brings everything together well. BUT. Every single example made me roll my eyes. All the characters are so obviously made up to illustrate the theory. Nothing in this book was revolutionary. It added a little sprinkle of self compassion and celebrating successes which kind of caught my eye, but other than that it’s just telling you to optimise yourself, aim for efficiency and in the process constantly up your standards so that they’ll be forever unattainable. It seems to suggest that developing a personal “picture of success”, which is just a purpose towards the future, should make it all fulfilling and worth while, but I highly doubt that.

[David Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have enjoyed this more as a conversation with a trusted mentor instead of a formal book which claims to be built upon years of hard evidence.

All the content is good. But the structure of the approach just didn’t work for me. I either want more believable and specific examples from people or companies who can attest to these one specific structure, or I want more honesty that “this is what works for me, but you may approach it differently.”

The author’s voice is also slightly off-putting in a few spots especially when talking about generational differences. A more inclusive voice early on might have earned him some empathy points.

[Aya Zain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This actually taught me a thing or two about taking accountability when it comes to my job - something that I used to always avoid. We all make mistakes, but the true challenge is in owning up to your mistakes, learning from them, and finding new ways to avoid those mistakes.

The book also provides some cool steps about how to prepare yourself for failure or setbacks so that when they do happen, you don't give it up and "throw it all away." A tactic I never thought of trying before.

This book goes into a lot more, but that was my biggest takeaway.

[André · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up Mark Samuel's book after reading about it as part of the Mentorbox list of must reads.

I have to say, I could not put this book down. Picturing success in my career starts from moving away from being a victim to holding yourself accountable. Plenty of situations and exercises to hold yourself accountable. Highly recommend this book if you want to move to becoming a leader.

[Bruno Rio · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has one or two good ideas but it's just tedious and a pile of other author's approaches. It does not bring anything really new and the writing is not engaging or compelling. Just skip it and grab a good book.

[Richard Cope · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a slow start, the book became very insightful with original groupings of business relevant themes.

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read quite frankly

[Amanda Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read with great ideas. This is on my reread list to visit again these great ideas.

[Angel Ramirez leyva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strongly recommend to read/hear this book, I hate spoilers that's why I won't say much but it does help to understand some behaviors we all see or do at work and life that we don't pay attention and become habits working against our success, become indispensable in the right way.

[Paul Signorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

We could easily make the mistake of thinking that Mark Samuel's thoughtful and thought-provoking book "Making Yourself Indispensable" is all about us. But we don't, as trainer-teacher-learners who need to be playing leadership roles in the organizations we serve, have to move very far into his work to see that Samuel has his sights on more than individual endeavors. You are "not indispensable unless you use your gifts and principles in service to other people's success, improvement, or survival," he suggests (p. 13), and it's a theme that makes what otherwise could have been a very self-centered endeavor take on much greater importance for all of us and those we serve. His work is centered on a personal accountability model that first takes us through what he calls "the victim loop," then continues into an accountability loop that helps us engage in a level of self-examination that leads to effective learning which, in turn, produces action. The theme of interdependence is never far from the surface here; in fact, it's an essential part of being successful and fostering success within an organization: "Ask for assistance!" he insists (p. 94). Trainer-teacher-learners also can't help but react positively to Samuel's chapter on how much the learning process is part of our efforts to be indispensable in the terms outlined in this book: "Learning," he suggests, is "the outcome of every relationship we are in and every action we take" (p. 161). If we approach our relationships with the spirit of teaching-training-learning that is at the heart of all we do, we're likely to reach one of the many useful conclusions Samuel offers: "Being indispensable doesn't start and stop with whatever job you are currently in. It is a lasting state based on the value you represent to others" (p. 115).

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was very helpful! I felt it put some things in my past in perspective in a way that allows me to focus on making changes in the future. The exercises were very useful for reflecting on my past choices, past mistakes, current goals, and current successes. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to get their life back on track, and also their significant others. I feel that the positive influence this book has had on me has helped me professionally, as well as personally. I also think that it has had a positive effect on my relationship with my boyfriend, and I think that my motivation for simple concrete tasks that are part of my general goals for the next year has motivated him to do better as well without me having to ask. Overall, a wonderful motivational book that was required reading for my workplace!

[Pedro Mesquita · Rating 3 out of 5]

A typical self-help book. Dave Carnergie could have written it. Still, some good insights and examples. Good coaching for those starting a career or struggling with the current one