Remeber your frustrations and don't repeat the mistakes of others

At the age of 26 and after many years of being the do'er, how do you move up to the heady heights of actually being able to make some decisions and make some changes? That was not a rhetorical question by the way so feel free to respond. I find myself more and more each day, just itching to get a grasp of some strategic responsibility. I have worked out in the community, I 'get' what is going on and what the frustrations are and more than anything I want to do something really meaningful and valuable with that knowledge and experience. One thing appears to prevent this...the misguided perception of those recruiting to such positions that having a Masters qualification and a ridiculous number of years of "senior level management experience" is the only worthy attribute. What about having a head for heights and the sheer determination which means that you will NEVER give up and will always act with integrity. I only hope that in years to come when I eventually 'make it' I remember these frustrations and put the ideas to some good use. My final word...please readers, lets think quality not quantity?