This is pretty much every company. If everyone starts performing at the next level, you can't promote everyone, right? And plenty of things can squish your chances at promotion, like being somewhat unlikable in your group.
I think a better bet for spending your extra energy is often a side-hustle, like contracting.
This is all based on the toxic and feudal idea that there should be a strict hierarchy of authority and pay that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. Each layer of employees should have a smaller layer of higher-paid overseers, going all the way up to the king (CEO).
I think a better bet for spending your extra energy is often a side-hustle, like contracting.