Absolutely anything can be your cue. If you want recognition, you must broadcast your achievements and press for appropriate rewards and advancement. No one else will do it for you. And if you start promoting yourself, you will soon feel comfortable doing it, and equally important, you will begin to realize you deserve it. Go for the power and never stop moving up.
Power is an important currency in today's workplace.
In fact, power is largely in the perception of it. To be perceived as powerful, act like a leader. Take charge, take responsibility, come up with a solution. You don't need to be president of a corporation or head of a committee. You just need to lead.