[user104658]

Originally Posted by Livia

It's good to see the story of someone who's worked hard through the ranks instead of resting on his laurels and whining about how hard life is. Pity we don't see more of it.

Originally Posted by Livia

Well, it can't be all chiefs and no Indians can it.

Honestly Livia, come on, if you're not careful you'll end up a caricature like arista! Are you saying that anyone who doesn't rise from min-wage staff to CEO of a multi-billion $ company is where they are because they have been "resting on their laurels"?

It's unrealistic. It happens - but rarely - and it can ONLY be rarely, because a relatively small and finite number of these high-paying positions exist at all. Certainly not enough for every hard-working fresh-faced newstart to get there. There are obviously other elements involved. Personal gifts like exceptional charisma, something that not everyone can learn no matter how hard they work, would be one element. Another is simple dumb luck and that's something that, for some reason, people just don't like to admit. Being at the right place, working in the right store, getting to know the right people who happen to be there, all play a part for "ladder climbers".