According to Wiki it’s based on a book. I did not know that.
In 1952, Shepherd Mead’s satirical book, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, became a bestseller.
Wonder where I could get a copy? Sounds like a fun read.
That’s the whole story.
A window washer stops by a stand, picks up the book, and over a few days moves from the mail room to the highest company positions by just reading the book. The problem is, he’s achieving for the sake of achieving, instead of really looking for a position he likes. Of course, the woman he loves sets him straight and everyone ends up happy.
The running gag is how he moves from office to office, moving higher up all the time. In the movie by the end you see him peeking in on LBJ at the WH window...