What holds people back and What to do about it

Recently, at a forum for leveling up your career, the panelists (I was one) were asked what are impediments to career progression for aspiring local government managers and what can they do about it? I noted that bad job descriptions, lack of skill-based hiring decisions, “time in the saddle” requirements, and also biases (race, ethnicity, gender, geographic, community type, rural /urban, community size, etc) are the main ones I see. Lately, too, the dreaded AI screening tools. Keeping busy, taking on stretch assignments, networking, obtaining new skills, and working on increasing and expanding your “career capital” were provided recommendations to addresses these challenges.