Hmm... I work on rewarding projects and get compensated well, lead a lot of folks (both as VP and as tech. architect), and I am not stressed... And I do not play do these "promotion dances". I do take credit for my work and I give credit to others where credit is due.

I have also observed the obvious opportunists being found out and being managed out or at least not promoted - perhaps they were just bad at it and didn't move quickly enough.

In any case, if that would truly be the price for getting promoted, then I think that price seems to high. The author is either confused or worked at the wrong places.