"Knowing your seat" was the title of this thread and to me that is the crux. I have flown with so many F/O's that either think they are the Captain or maybe they are just trying to show me that they can be, expecting me to be impressed.
What I have always said and maintaned:
"If you want a fastrack to the left hand seat it's easy: Show that you are the best First Officer there is going. That will get noticed and you will be on your way. However, enter the pi$$ing contest with the Captain and you will pi$$ many people off and will probably find yourself glued to the RHS for the rest of your career."
I have witnessed this on more than one occasion with guys that just don't get why others less senior to them get command and they are left in the RHS for years. How obvious can that be?
It really is that easy!
