There’s nothing as harmful to your career than getting lost in the crowd of other performers. Yes, you have the skills to deliver, but what’s taking the shine away from you? You don’t have an idea, that’s precisely the first reason. You are lost in your self-consciousness, unable to locate your unique selling points. If you are never noticed, it will become a hassle to forge ahead.
Remember you are competing against other high flyers who come to work early, deliver before deadlines, and display professionalism on every task. That means you have to do more and be different. Offer to help on new projects in your own free time, that’s after you have delivered excellently. Offer to help, in the process; you will learn new skills and gather experience.
Every time you are engaging your boss or a colleague on an idea, back it up with specific and related examples. This will show that much thought has gone into the concept. At company meetings and events, speak up and offer your opinions. If you don’t have a new line of thought, back up existing ones. Please don’t overdo it, don’t be seen as an attention seeker.
More importantly, avoid the murky waters of office politics. If you have to choose a clique, make sure it’s the winning side.