Is ‘ghost growth’ doing more harm than good for your career?

Over the years, the idea of growth has quietly changed. Once, career progression was measured in promotions, pay hikes, public wins and visible milestones. But today, many professionals are experiencing what’s being called ghost growth. You are learning, evolving and taking on more responsibility, but nothing outwardly changes. No new title, no recognition, no clear step forward. On paper, you are in the same place, even if internally you are not.

At first, ghost growth can feel safe, even virtuous. You are staying humble and focusing on skill-building rather than chasing validation. But over time, it leads to burnout, and this invisible evolution raises an uncomfortable question: if no one can see your growth, does it actually count?

What ghost growth really looks like

Ghost growth isn’t stagnation. You are working harder, thinking sharper, and managing more complexity. You might be mentoring juniors, handling high-stakes projects, or becoming the person everyone relies on. Yet your role, compensation and position in the organisation remain unchanged.

It often thrives in workplaces that reward loyalty over visibility, or in cultures where “just keep your head down and do good work” is seen as noble. It is especially common among high performers who believe their work will speak for itself, eventually.

The problem? In today's world, work rarely speaks unless you give it a voice.

Why does it feel comforting at first?

There is a quiet reassurance in ghost growth. You are not competing loudly. You are not asking for more. You are avoiding the discomfort of self-promotion or difficult conversations about money and titles. In a world obsessed with constant visibility, ghost growth can feel like opting out of noise.

For many, it also aligns with a deeper desire to grow “properly” before stepping up. You want to feel ready, polished, deserving. So you keep accumulating experience in the shadows, telling yourself that one day it will all add up.

But careers don’t always reward patience. They reward positioning.

When invisible growth becomes a liability

The danger of ghost growth is not that you are not growing, it’s that your growth is being normalised. When you consistently perform above your role without acknowledgement, it quietly resets expectations. What once looked exceptional becomes the baseline.

Over time, this can breed resentment and self-doubt. You start questioning why others move ahead faster on the corporate ladder, even when you know you are capable. You may feel undervalued but struggle to articulate why, because technically, nothing is “wrong.”

Worse, when opportunities arise, decision-makers often look at titles and visibility rather than effort. If your growth hasn’t been documented, advocated for, or claimed, it’s easy to be overlooked.

One of the biggest myths around work is that excellence is enough. But in reality, growth needs witnesses. It needs context and conversation around it.

Now, this doesn’t mean turning every achievement into a performance. Rather, it is more about making your progress legible. Naming your contributions, asking for feedback, and letting managers know not just what you are doing, but where you want to go. Visibility isn’t vanity, it’s a strategy.

How to move out of ghost mode

Exiting ghost growth doesn’t require an overnight personality overhaul; it requires intention. Start by auditing your last year of work. What have you taken on that wasn’t in your original role? What skills have you developed that aren’t reflected in your title?

Next step: talk about it. Frame growth as alignment, not demand. “This is how my role has evolved” is often more powerful than “I want more.” Ask what the next step looks like and what visibility or outcomes are required to get there.

Most importantly, stop waiting to feel ready. If you are doing the work, you are ready to speak about it too.

Ghost growth isn’t a failure; it is more unfinished business. It shows discipline, depth and commitment. But when left unchecked, it can quietly limit your potential, leading to frustration and burnout.

Careers are not just built on upskilling and becoming better; they are built on being seen as you become better. Growth deserves acknowledgement, and so do you.

Lead image: IMDb

Also read: Why we keep returning to the things that once shaped us

Also read: How to avoid burnout at work without compromising your goals this year