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It seems the difference is just the degree of usefulness / value. Rather than being different terms, I think they're just different spots on the spectrum. What's the difference between someone being "useful" vs "valuable", one is 6/10 the other is 8+/10 (made up numbers).

A sales person that consistently hits quota is useful. A rainmaker that keeps bringing in million dollar deals is valuable.

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An Ops contributor who saves the company millions in operating costs, however, might be extremely valuable, but may or may not be valued.

Definitely, it's up to the contributor to also demonstrate their value if it's overlooked for whatever reason. Demonstration of value is almost never the same thing as value.

I think you have missed the subtle difference between "valuable" (which you introduced) and "valued" (which is the subject of the article)

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