Hard to Fire · Chapter 4 · Diagnostic

The Protection Audit

Find the weak layer left exposed after Chapter 3 shows you where the pressure is coming from. This is a second look at the same risk, not a second system.

Score the protection you can prove, not the protection you hope is there. In a hurry? Mark each quick check Strong, Mixed, or Weak. When you have ten quiet minutes, finish all fifteen ratings. A 1 is a real gap. A 5 means this layer can carry some weight.

Trust

Quick check

Does your manager bring you into authorized problem discussions before the solution is decided?

Are you included when your judgment is relevant to an early-stage problem?

Does your manager trust you with appropriate context before a change is announced?

Dimension average:Incomplete

Visibility

Quick check

Do people two levels above your manager know your name?

Has someone outside your immediate team referenced your work in the last six months?

If your name came up while you were absent, would someone have a specific, positive association?

Dimension average:Incomplete

Manager Usefulness

Quick check

Would your manager's workload increase significantly if you left?

Do you handle tasks, projects, or relationships your manager does not want to absorb?

Has your manager credited you for making their work easier?

Dimension average:Incomplete

Leadership Explainability

Quick check

Can your value be described in one sentence using revenue, risk, margin, quality, or speed?

Would a senior leader understand what you do without a five-minute explanation?

Does your most recent performance record describe outcomes rather than effort alone?

Dimension average:Incomplete

AI Capability

Quick check

Are you using an employer-approved AI tool on real work with data authorized for that environment?

Have you shown your manager or team one checked AI-assisted result during the last quarter?

Could you teach a colleague one governed workflow without exposing restricted information?

Dimension average:Incomplete

Total protectionComplete all 15 ratings

Interpretation—

Weakest layer—

Your routed action: Complete the ratings or mark a quick-check layer Weak.

First useful move

Where the weak layer sends you

Trust: Chapter 8: Build trust through useful work and legitimate relationships.

Visibility: Chapter 8: Give credible people direct evidence of how you operate.

Manager Usefulness: Chapter 5: Identify a recurring decision burden you can remove.

Leadership Explainability: Chapter 6: Translate one current deliverable into business language.

AI Capability: Chapter 7: Complete one governed, visible AI-assisted task.

This is fifteen answers, not a second system. Find the thinnest layer, take the routed action, and resist the urge to repair all five before lunch.

Under 15: High vulnerability.
15–20: Moderate vulnerability.
Above 20: Well-positioned.