I’ll put something vulnerable out there. Most of the time I feel like I don’t have the mindset to endure the politics, BS required to get ahead. Not playing the victim, but when I was in industry...

Or the speed...

type faster OP

... I worked with a lot of people who (appeared) to hold the same moral beliefs as I did. Maybe I was so low level I didn’t see the politics as they exist everywhere? The old saying come\ to mind “don’t hate the player, hate the game”, feels so relevant now. I just hoped for something better. Stepping down from soapbox now. 😀

Obviously vulnerable. Whoops 😬

Venerable or vulnerable? 🤔

I hear you OP. I was born in the US, mostly grew up in the US, but I've never gotten down with the corporate culture. I'm obviously capable enough to get ahead, but I have no desire to work *that* hard and play the game. Once I got to the point where I was mentally challenged enough and a high earner, I just didn't see the need to keep up the competition.

Hi OP- I can relate, but I think we’re just talking about 2 very different worlds. With industry there’s a long term aspect to a role that creates the ideal environment for organic advancement. Consulting projects on the other hand can be short lived with very limited exposure to leadership. Unless you’re really good at self-promoting, your hard work can easily go unnoticed. I have seen complete turds with the right internal network promote, they just knew how to work the system and be the loudest guy in the room during showtime. With all that being said, don’t give up- try to find mentors/leaders that share your views and support you, it may not seem like it but they’re definitely out there.

What do you consider politics? So quickly do we bundle networking, keeping with trends, putting yourself outside your comfort zone, and taking on extra responsibilities and package it into the word “politics” or dismiss someone’s achievements as “luck”, “handed to him/her”. Another word of advice: assume everyone around you is working harder than yourself. If someone gets promoted, they most likely did something you haven’t.