“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening my axe”

—Abraham Lincoln

The Dangerous Assumption

For the most part, we have dealt with the root part of being an irreplaceable individual. What I have found in my research on the subject at hand is that most people rush to give you an advice of “do this and that, don’t do this and that”, ask if your doing will automatically catapult you to greatness and to be irreplaceable.

I think the most dangerous assumption that most thought leaders have on this topic is that the more you do, the more you become

The problem with that is that your motive and standpoint of ‘doing’ might be the wrong one  to start with.

Informed action is important. Action alone does not guarantee progress. Like Steve R. Covey famously said, and I paraphrase, “You could spend lots of time and energy climbing the corporate ladder only to realize at the top that the ladder was leaning on the wrong wall!!” So in our recap, we look at some of the ‘informed’ nuggets that you need to  have in mind in order to be irreplaceable.

“You could spend lots of time and energy climbing the corporate ladder only to realize at the top that the ladder was leaning on the wrong wall!!”

Stephen R. Covey

How to be irreplaceable: (A Recap)

1. Know the Meaning of ‘Irreplaceable’

2. Study Your Difference

3. Conquer Yourself

4. Know Who Your Audience is

5. Know What You are Poor at

6. Understand the Law of Process

7. Understand and Implement the ‘Wow Factor’

What is the wow factor? Good question.

It is the surprise that you give to your ‘audience’  consistently that is over and above the normal expected performance of the day.

Why do sportsmen such as Ronaldo and Messi always appear irreplaceable? They have the wow factor in them. People pay loads of cash just to watch them live in action consistently.

The key word here is that they consistently give a memorable display.

You see, the Wow Factor is not just a thing of sportsmen and women. It is not a reserve of Corporate organizations when they are talking about “Exemplary Customer Experience”. The Wow Factor can actually be implemented by anybody who cares enough. But how can we do that?

How To Implement the ‘Wow Factor’

1. Be Intentional:

So you already know your difference as well as your audience. You already know the intersection of your audience and your difference which is where your genius meets their needs and problems. So both parties know exactly what to expect with the solution you are providing. How about you be intentional and provide the solution on time but with the wow factor? If you set out to add the wow factor to the solution, chances are that you will make a memory in their hearts.

2. Be Consistent:

Let it be known with everyone that you interact with that there is always a guarantee of a surprise. Don’t be a one hit wonder with this. Do it and do it again. Try that with your marriage and see how irreplaceable you will become.

3. Be Patient-Spend Time on It:

Of course! There is a debate pitting ‘Working Hard’ on one side and “Working Smart” on the other. Whatever! Just spend good time creating your wow. Key word: Don’t rush it. Rushed wow Factors are worse than nothing! [Tweet that]

4. Be Involved-Let it Cost Your Something:

King David said, “I will not give to God that which cost me nothing!” I remember the story of a certain man who tweeted about his craving for a food item from a particular restaurant. He was on a flight to a certain town. On arrival, he was greeted by the staff of that restaurant, having brought what he desired without him ordering. It cost them something…and that is a wow factor right there. Count it’s cost.

5. Be Invested-Intersect Talent and Skill:

Michael Jordan worked so hard on his talent that it became a Wow Factor. Natural talents are the best places to start cultivating your wow factor. It is easier and faster and the passion needed is readily available.

6. Be Innovative:

This is a big one. Do not Copy!!! Let me say that again…if you are offering a solution, do  not duplicate it. Innovate something of difference to your ‘audience’. This bit alone makes you memorable and irreplaceable.

I have said enough.

Let us now answer this question:

What is your Wow Factor?