A Job Well Done, Even If It Means Working Yourself Out of One

Why true success means prioritizing the business goal over role preservation

In technology and business, success is often tied to growth: scaling a team, adding new tools, or expanding responsibilities. But sometimes, the truest measure of success is the opposite—building solutions so effective that the problems (and the roles dedicated to them) disappear.

This paradox can come as a shock. You tackle technical debt, streamline infrastructure, and lower recurring costs, only to realize: there’s no longer a need for your role. And yet, that might be the exact definition of a job well done.

The Reality of Building Beyond Yourself

Consider something as common as an overextended logging solution...

Redefining “Value” in Business and Leadership

Some define value as protecting their turf: defending a team, even when the problem they solve no longer exists.

The Takeaway

A job well done doesn’t always mean securing a permanent seat at the table. Sometimes, it means leaving the table altogether—because you ensured the work will stand without you.