I think we have always come at this from the wrong angle.  Instead of accepting that no-one is indispensable, I think we should be asking ourselves “How do I become indispensable?”
 
With the amount of media coverage currently being given to AI and Robotics, it is more important than ever to future proof your career by becoming indispensable.
 
So, first up, are you at risk of becoming dispensable?  According to an article by McKinsey, jobs that are most at risk have the following qualities:
 

• Predictable physical work
• Data processing
• Data collection

And even if it wasn’t automation that was the issue, how do you show up to work?  Do you see your work as a frustrating tedious chore, and pretty much do the minimum that is required to take home your pay?  If so, it’s probable that you are dispensable. Sorry.
 
In his book Linchpin, Seth Godin describes people in organisations who do such a great job that they would be considered critical to the future success of the organisation.  He refers to them as “artists”. They pour their energy, heart and soul into their work and they get the job done with such flare and passion that they gain a reputation.
 
And, there are some forever skills that we all need to have if we are going to position our ourselves for the future so that we are indispensable, relevant and our work is sustainable:

• Change Making: The mere fact that we are faced with change on a daily micro and macro basis, means that those who are most able to lead and manage change will be more successful.
• Sense Making: In the report Future Work Skills 2020, the Institute For The Future nominated Sense Making as the number one skill required for the future.  They defined it as “the ability to determine the deeper meaning or significance of what is being expressed.”
• Match Making: Being a Match Maker is about helping others find others.  Building, fostering and sharing the cool people in our world with other cool people in our world
• Peace Making: This is about harnessing and leveraging diversity and inclusion in an increasingly global world.  If you aren’t already working across cultures or boundaries, you soon will be.
• Rain Making: A rainmaker is “a person whose influence can initiate progress”
• Map Making: Mapmakers are skilled at helping people have a sense that what we do produces something meaningful beyond ourselves.  A sense of Purpose.