Traditional career path vs. Silicon Valley (what I wish I had known)

His point for working in silicon valley which essentially boils down to "surround yourself with successful people, or people likely to be successful" also applies to the corporate world as well.

Surround yourself (and be friendly with) with people likely to succeed, chances are when they move up the ladder, they will bring you with them. In fact I would argue that it is just as important (from an employee's perspective) to surround yourself with successful people in the corporate world as it does in the startup world in terms of personal advancement.