Another example that supports my theory how little management actually knows what their workers are doing. A lead position opened up in our department and I was asked to take it, with a small pay raise. I have literally been working 50% of what I might actually be able to do without exhausting myself. Don't get me wrong, I know my stuff, so again work smart not hard. I definitely did not work towards “earning” this position, but I got it probably because I was the only choice, not because I am good at what I do (and to repeat this, I am good at it). They don't know that I am actually good, because I slow down my work, which seems still to be enough.
Hard work is not what determines a career, if you work for someone else. Hard work does not pay off, if you work for someone else.