The key is to do a great job but at the same time to advocate for yourself. I shared this with my kids. My daughter is following and doing well.

In 7 years she has been promoted 3 times. She gets annual raises of 6 to 8%.

She is not a butt kisser by any stretch. She is not afraid to go at it with others when they are wrong and she is right. She is respected by her coworkers and gets the job done.

Is it easy? No. But she refuses to accept status quo and mediocrity.