Escalating usually starts with a chance.

For example, the project in chief is sick, in holydays, absent or he doesn't have the time to do some task, and he could ask: "somebody could go to this meeting or manage this team?". This means more work and nothing more, not a bonus or an increase in the salary. Most people would say "nah!, they don't pay me for do that!" and it is a big mistake because it is a big chance to measure yourself and raise your perks.

Also, only a few IT are willing to invest on professional education, and it doesn't mean to take a lousy Udemy course but to take a diploma, master or even a decent certification. Only a few ones take that route, they work 9-5, and after that, they assist to classes. Now, everybody has a real life but it is also a matter of discipline.