Today we talk about a tool for reaching high places – a ladder . Ladders are made from two long pieces of wood , metal , or rope with a series of steps , called rungs , between them . We climb the rungs to reach higher up . But we can also climb a different kind of ladder . When we climb the ladder in our job to reach a higher level , we are climbing the ladder of success . When we speak of a ladder this way , it represents a series of steps or stages that leads to a higher or better position . As you climb the ladder , you become more powerful and more successful . Take , for example , the corporate ladder : The website Investopedia defines the term “corporate ladder ” as a way of thinking about a company's employment hierarchy . Hierarchy here means the jobs in a corporation that go from the bottom to the top . So , beginning , or entry-level , jobs are the bottom rungs of the ladder and the supervisory positions are the top rungs of the corporate ladder . "Climbing the corporate ladder ,” then , describes a person's movement higher in a company's leadership . Some people are very ambitious . They want to get ahead , so they work hard at their career . They think about it seriously and have a plan . Most people who succeed have some level of ambition . But some people use “climbing the ladder ” in a negative way . Let's say on your way up the ladder of success you step on others or try to push them off their ladders . This might mean you are so ambitious that you forget to treat people well . Getting ahead in your job is the only thing you see as you climb up your ladder . However , as some people climb , they reach down and help up those on the lower rungs . Or , if someone on a rung above them is having trouble , they help them . You can use the expression “climb the ladder ” with or without the word “success .” Now , let's listen to these two friends as they use this expression . Hey , how are you ? I haven't heard from you in such a long time ! I've been good ! I've been taking a lot of online classes . So , I just finished a business degree . Good for you ! I've been spending too much time at home watching Netflix . Well , that can be fun too . But I have some career goals that I need to meet by the end of the year . You are way more ambitious than me . I'm not really interested in climbing any career ladders . You're on your own . I have older parents to take care of . So , for me climbing a few more rungs on the ladder means more money and more security . That is such a good point . But you still need to have fun . Why don't we celebrate your new degree with a hike in the mountains this weekend ? That sounds perfect !