How do I deal with people who network better getting ahead of me?

You are good at the actual work, and you watch people who are worse at it but better at talking rise past you. It feels unjust, because you were taught that skill should be enough. The resentment makes sense. But holding onto it only hurts you, while the people you resent keep climbing. Here is the hard truth worth accepting: being good at your job and being seen doing it are two different skills, and both matter. That is not corrupt. It is human. People trust and promote those they know. The good news is that networking is not some dark art reserved for other people. It is just building real relationships, and you can learn it like anything else. Start small and genuine. Share what you know. Help a coworker. Speak up about your work instead of assuming it speaks for itself. You do not have to become fake or political. You just have to let people see the competence you already have. Add that one skill to the strong foundation you have built, and the ceiling you resent starts to lift.