Stevens worked his way to the top of the corporate ladder.
1 a piece of equipment used for climbing up to high places, consisting of two long pieces of wood, metal, or rope, joined to each other by rungs (=steps): She climbed the ladder to the roof. → see alsorope ladder, stepladder2a series of activities or jobs you have to do in order to gradually become more powerful or important: the corporate/career/social ladder Stevens worked his way to the top of the corporate ladder. [Origin: Old English hlæder]