Why do some people get ahead – and others don’t?

Hard work isn’t always enough. Leadership expert Jo Owen shares five mindset shifts that could change the way you show up at work – and in life.

You do the work. You’re the one keeping things moving, solving problems, staying late. But when the recognition comes – the praise, the pay rise, the promotion – somehow, it always seems to go to someone else.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And according to leadership expert and bestselling author Jo Owen, it’s not about how loud you are in meetings, or how many hours you put in behind the scenes. It’s about something less visible – and more powerful: your mindset.

“Your office is full of people with a similar skillset,” Jo says. “But some perform far better than others. The difference isn’t talent. It’s mindset.”

And the good news? Mindset isn’t something you’re born with. It’s a set of habits – and it can be learned. Ahead of his upcoming Masterclass How to Build the Mindset of Success, Jo shares five mindset shifts to help you stop getting overlooked – and start getting ahead.

Being the quiet one who “just gets on with it” can feel admirable. But too often, it’s a fast track to being invisible. Jo says successful people don’t just work hard – they’re intentional about making their contribution known.

Try this: instead of quietly completing a task, follow up. Share the outcome. Connect it to a bigger goal. Visibility isn’t arrogance – it’s accountability with a bit of confidence.

You don’t need a title to lead. In fact, Jo’s research shows that some of the most effective leaders act without permission. “They step up,” he says. “They take ownership. They behave as if success is their responsibility, even if it’s not in their job description.”

This might mean speaking up with a solution, offering to take something on, or simply modelling the behaviours you wish your actual leaders had.

We all know someone who seems to have influence that goes beyond their job title. According to Jo, that’s not an accident – it’s something he calls PQ, or “political quotient.” It’s your ability to get things done through trust, credibility and relationships, especially when you’re not in charge.

It’s not about playing politics. It’s about learning how things actually get decided – and making sure you’re part of the conversation.

High performers aren’t flawless. What they do have is momentum. “They recover quickly from setbacks,” Jo says. “They don’t wait to be perfect before they act – and they don’t spiral when things go wrong.”

You don’t need a flawless plan. You need a bias towards action. Start now. Tweak later.

This might be Jo’s most deceptively simple advice. If you want people to rely on you, recommend you, or remember you – be useful. Offer solutions. Be the person who follows through. Make life easier for the people around you.

“Trust and generosity are powerful,” Jo says. “They create the kind of informal power that gets you noticed – and brings people with you.”

Special offer: Attendees and readers can get 40% off Jo Owen’s book The Mindset of Success at koganpage.com using the code STANDARD40 at checkout

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