When thinking about career progression, many people focus almost entirely on themselves, what they’re doing, where they’re going, how much they’re earning, and how quickly they’re progressing. While those things matter, there’s a far more influential factor that often gets overlooked: the calibre of people around you.

The people you work alongside, those you compete with, learn from, and are challenged by, play a huge role in shaping your career. If you’re in an environment that doesn’t attract or retain high-calibre individuals, it can limit not only the organisation’s growth but your own professional development as well.

The Impact of Your Environment

Strong organisations are built on strong people. When a business hires talented, driven individuals, it creates an environment where people push each other to improve. Healthy competition, shared ambition, and high standards raise the bar for everyone involved.

On the flip side, if an organisation doesn’t employ high-calibre people, growth slows. Opportunities become limited, standards drop, and individuals stop being challenged. Over time, this can have a significant impact on your career trajectory, regardless of how capable or ambitious you are personally.

Ask Yourself the Hard Question

Take a moment to look around at the people you work with. Ask yourself honestly:
Are these individuals pushing me to be better? Am I learning from them? Do I have to work harder to stand out?

If you’re surrounded by people who challenge you, that’s a good thing, even if it’s uncomfortable at times. Being in an environment with strong competition drives performance and accelerates growth.

However, if you consistently feel like you’re the best person in the room, it may be a sign that you’ve outgrown your environment. When there’s no one pushing you, development slows, and complacency can set in.

Knowing When It’s Time to Move On

If you look around and genuinely believe you’re the strongest performer in the room, it might be time to consider your next move. Seeking out environments with higher standards, stronger peers, and greater competition can reignite motivation and unlock new opportunities.

Your career isn’t just shaped by your individual effort, it’s shaped by the people and environments you choose to be part of. Surrounding yourself with ambitious, capable individuals can be one of the most powerful drivers of long-term success.

Key Takeaways

• Career growth isn’t just about personal performance

• The calibre of people around you significantly impacts development

• Strong peers create challenge, competition, and opportunity

•  If you’re consistently the best in the room, it may be time to move on