Although published in 1977, Harragan's classic is still relevant to today's woman working in corporate America. Corporations are hierarchical and modeled after the military. The typical corporation is pyramid shaped. Line positions lead to the top, staff positions do not. Again the military model.
Staff positions are lateral positions supporting the line positions.
Secretaries, clerks, attorneys, and accountants, for example are staff positions. They support the works of the officers. If you want to rise in the corporation, make sure you are an officer. Learn the rules of your company's game and become a player. Corporations are hierarchical in structure, but employees in them play a football game.