A quick point... Excel is a dangerous weapon because the vast majority of people, office drones included, don't know how to use it. Really what it all comes do

A quick point... Excel is a dangerous weapon because the vast majority of people, office drones included, don't know how to use it. Really what it all comes down to is positioning yourself in a position where you aren't easily replaceable is really the "secret" to rising up on the corporate ladder. Networking and having good visibility into the company's overall workings and being a rockstar Excel jockey are really just two sides of the same coin. From what I've seen, to rise above middle management you need both. A deep working knowledge of your tools and a good grasp of the big picture and all its moving pieces. Also as other posters have mentioned some of the details in the story are suspect. Ordering supplies and lunch in IBD? Doesn't he have analysts to boss around and endless pitchbooks to compile?