Mostly luck. But most importantly, don't end up in something which requires institutional level work/support as edge.
If you are sure you want to get there, you'll have to apply yourself to the idea that you need to do important things rather than just urgent ones. Yeah, your early bosses will want you to do what you are told like build sheets and make sure various uninteresting reports are done as scheduled. But that's not the stuff which makes money at the end of the day.
There's a substantial difference in attitude and ambition in the people. And the people are not their jobs.