Sadly I was very naive for a long time, and believed that being very good at my job, having all the possible qualifications relating to my job current, volunteering for OOA dets etc would get me promoted. It was only seeing someone who was a terrible engineer, but very good at politics, secondary duties by the handful ( meaning virtually no time actually working!!) & being part of a station club populated by oic's getting promoted that really bought it home to me that being good at your job has no factor on promotion.