CareerTalk

Your Biggest Competition Isn’t Who You Think It Is!

When you’re preparing for your next promotion, it’s easy to fixate on who else is in the running. You may find yourself analysing colleagues, comparing achievements, or worrying about office politics. But let me tell you the truth: your biggest competition isn’t your co-worker—it’s you.

The person standing between where you are now and where you want to be is not the manager playing favourites or the colleague with more connections. It’s the person staring back at you in the mirror.

Why? Because success is never about beating someone else—it’s about beating your own limiting beliefs, self-doubt, and inaction. The real challenge isn’t who else is applying for the job—it’s whether you believe in yourself enough to go after it, prepare for it, and demand what you deserve.

Are you truly stepping into your full potential? Or are you allowing fear, procrastination, or self-sabotage to hold you back?

Take a hard look at this list and ask yourself: Which of these obstacles are you letting stand in your way? Where can you push yourself harder to break through your own limitations?

Because the real race isn’t against others—it’s against the version of yourself that’s too afraid to step up. 

When it comes to landing your next promotion, most people assume their biggest challenge is competition from colleagues or company politics. But as HR professionals and executive head-hunters will tell you, the real challenge is often internal.

Recruiters and hiring managers look for candidates who are proactive, self-aware, and continually improving—not just those who have been in the role the longest. Yet, many professionals unknowingly sabotage their own growth by holding onto behaviours, habits, and mindsets that prevent them from being seen as leadership material.

Below are the key reasons candidates miss out on career advancement—along with how you can potentially overcome them.

Procrastination – Are You Delaying Your Own Success?

Hiring managers and head-hunters often see talented professionals stuck in the same roles for years because they never actively pursue opportunities. They delay updating their CVs, preparing for interviews, or expanding their networks, waiting for the "perfect time"—which never comes.  Schedule time on your calendar this week to refresh your LinkedIn profile, update your resume, or book a call with a mentor. Progress happens when you take action.

Ego – Are You Too Proud to Seek Growth?

One of the biggest career killers is refusing feedback. Recruiters consistently notice that high performers actively seek constructive criticism, while stagnant employees dismiss it. If you're not coachable, you're not promotable. Ask your manager, a mentor, or a trusted colleague:

"What’s one skill I could improve to take my career to the next level?" Then, take action on their advice.

Unhealthy Habits – Is Poor Self-Care Holding You Back?

A lack of work-life balance, poor energy management, and burnout can derail your career more than a lack of experience. Employers value professionals who can handle pressure, think clearly and maintain their performance over time. Optimise your morning routine, sleep schedule and mental well-being so you show up every day with clarity, confidence, and resilience. Leaders take care of their body and mind as much as their careers.

Neglected Learning – Are You Still Relying on Old Knowledge?

The biggest red flag for head-hunters? A candidate who hasn’t up-skilled in years. The workplace evolves too quickly for you to rely on what worked five years ago. If you’re not actively learning new skills, you’re falling behind. Identify one in-demand skill for your industry (e.g., leadership training, AI tools, digital marketing) and enrol in an online course, webinar or professional development programme.

Lack of Discipline – Do You Quit When Things Get Tough?

Hiring managers and recruiters notice patterns. If you start strong but lose motivation when a project gets difficult, that signals a lack of leadership potential. Leaders push through challenges, while others make excuses.  Commit to one professional goal this quarter and track your progress weekly. Whether it’s leading a new project, mastering a new skill, or hitting a performance target, prove to yourself (and your employer) that you follow through.

Distractions – Are You Wasting Time on the Wrong Things?

Recruiters often see employees claim they’re "too busy" for career growth, yet they spend hours scrolling social media, binge-watching Netflix, or engaging in workplace drama. Time management is key to climbing the corporate ladder.  Audit your time—track your daily activities for a week. Cut one distraction and replace it with intentional career-building actions (e.g., networking, skill-building, or thought leadership posts).

Bad Habits – Are You Sabotaging Your Own Success?

People don’t lose out on promotions because they lack skills—they lose out because of self-sabotaging habits like missing deadlines, arriving late, avoiding responsibility, or failing to own their mistakes.  Identify one habit that’s holding you back and replace it with a discipline that moves you forward. Example: If you struggle with time management, implement a priority system (e.g., Eisenhower Matrix) to stay on track.

Negative Behaviour – Are You Letting Office Politics Distract You?

Being drawn into workplace gossip, drama, or grudges makes you look unprofessional and unfocused. Employers promote solution-driven thinkers, not people who waste time on conflicts that don’t move the business forward.  Shift your mindset from complaining to contributing. Instead of saying, “This workplace is toxic,” ask, “What can I do to improve my environment or find a better opportunity?” Leadership is about solutions, not problems.

Self-Doubt – Do You Believe You Deserve This Promotion?

The most successful candidates exude confidence, not arrogance. But many qualified professionals never apply for promotions because they feel they’re not "ready enough." Stop waiting for permission. If you meet at least 70% of the job criteria, apply anyway. Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.

Lack of Focus – Are You Clear About What You Want?

Head-hunters see too many professionals "drifting" through their careers without a clear plan. Without a defined goal, you won’t take the right actions to reach it.  Write down your career goal for the next 12 months. Then, identify three action steps you can take right now to move toward it.

Here’s the Deal, Own Your Growth and Earn Your Promotion

Promotions aren’t handed out—they’re earned through preparation, growth and mindset. If you want to land that next big role, it’s time to get real about what’s holding you back. Your competition isn’t the co-worker down the hall or the new hire in the department—it’s the internal barriers that keep you playing small instead of stepping into your next level.

The truth? Every single one of these obstacles—procrastination, distractions, self-doubt, lack of preparation—is within your control. You have the power to outwork, outsmart, and outlast them.

Leaders aren’t promoted just because they’ve been in a role the longest—they’re promoted because they’ve proven they can take on more responsibility, solve bigger problems and elevate the team. If you’re not actively levelling up, you’re making it easy for someone else to step into the position you want.

The first step to winning this competition isn’t blaming external factors—it’s owning your growth. What area do you need to improve? Where have you been holding back? 

Acknowledge it, commit to change, and watch how quickly you start making moves. Once you take control, nothing can stop you.

What’s the ONE thing you’re ready to tackle this week to bring you closer to that next promotion?

Drop it in the comments below! Tag a friend who’s ready to level up with you. Like this if you’re committed to taking action!