[carlosjobim]

> by definition, only so many people can get ahead

That's the core of the great lie which so massively limits people.

Everybody can get ahead. It's not about comparing yourself with others - and has never been about that. That's school boy logic, to think in limited terms like that.

Can all members of an orchestra become better musicians, even though some will still be better than others? Can all members of a football team become better players?

You can always become better at what you do, no matter what other people are doing. You are almost guaranteed to become better at what you do, if you're doing it everyday. The purpose of a business is to deliver productivity to the purchaser. The purpose of employing workers is for them to do work. As they become better at their work, they will produce more and should be paid more and given more responsibilities. Internal company hierarchy has little to do with it. It's not about getting in front of the other guy.