First Hired, Last Fired: How to Make Yourself Indispensable in an Age of Downsizing, Mergers, and Restructuring - Hardcover

Truth is, after reading the Bramsons' treatise on indispensability, users just might prefer to work their own way, regardless of the consequences. Nonetheless, these seasoned authors (he's the expert who penned Coping with Difficult People) have outlined all the traits of difficult-to-get-rid-of employees, why readers should care, and how to achieve these attributes. In a scientific manner, culling from 57 executive interviews, the Bramsons set about proving their theses--that, yes, there are indispensable workers and, yes, they share common qualities. Some surprises abound in the list of characteristics: a relative freedom from office politics, can-do attitude, flexibility, systems orientation to problem solving, and the like. A few self-exams along the way help shape readers' education; still, many may resolve that the effort isn't worth it in today's tight labor market. Barbara Jacobs