The Day I Realized My Company Could Replace Me Overnight

The very first company I worked for after college was a large pharmaceutical company. I was a chemist, and while the work itself was interesting, the daily redundancy began to drive me crazy. But there was one experience that would shift my entire perspective.

It was December 15. The company laid off an entire department just 10 days before Christmas. As I watched my colleagues pack up their things and leave, I couldn't help but wonder: Did anyone in that department know this was coming? Did they feel secure, thinking they were safe from such an unexpected change?

That moment marked a turning point for me. I realized I was just another cog in a machine, one that could be replaced at any time. But more importantly, it shifted how I viewed my own worth. I started to understand that when you know your value, you have the power to decide where to invest your energy and who gets to receive it.

So many of us identify with our careers, our titles, or the companies we work for. We get caught up in the pursuit of recognition and validation through promotions, bonuses, or other external rewards. But what happens when you step outside of this framework? Who are you when you're not defined by "work"?

When everything is going well, it feels fulfilling to contribute to the growth of a company. But let's not forget: companies are built to solve real problems in humanity. At least, they should be. When we lose alignment with the mission and vision of the company, we start seeking fulfillment and value elsewhere.

Now imagine a large organization — thousands, even tens of thousands of people — who are disconnected from the mission of the company they work for. It's easy for the ego to take over, whether it's the CEO, the founders, or even the managers and directors. Profit becomes the focus, and the original mission fades into the background.

One of the common frustrations I hear from women in corporate environments is the feeling of being undervalued. They often think that value comes in the form of a bonus, a trip, or some type of incentive. While these things are nice, I've learned that true value comes when people understand the "why" behind their work. People will walk through fire for you when they understand the impact their work has on others — when they understand why they're doing what they're doing.

However, when you're going through the motions at work, uncertain about where your time is spent, it's easy to start asking, "What am I doing here?" When we know our own worth, we don't rely on external sources to validate it. We may seek feedback to know we're on the right track, but we don't need constant praise or rewards.

Let's say your boss never says "thank you," never gives you a raise or bonus, but you receive countless testimonials about how your work has positively impacted your customers. Where does the value lie for you? Sure, you might think your boss is a jerk, but how do you feel knowing that the work you're doing truly makes a difference in the lives of your customers?

This is where alignment with the mission becomes key. Are you seeing the company’s mission come to life? Do you feel like you're a part of the forward momentum of that mission? Too often, companies lose sight of their original mission. Over time, it becomes something people talk about but don’t actively engage with.

The true value of a company can be measured by one simple question: "What is your mission?" If the answer is vague or unknown, you’ll quickly realize that the company has lost its connection to the very reason it exists. And when that happens, the frustration around feeling undervalued is a systemic issue, driven by a lack of mission-driven leadership.

So here’s my seed question for you:

Do you know your mission for your company?

Is the company moving forward with it?

And most importantly, do you feel like you’re a part of that forward movement?