Ep 3. High On The Corporate Ladder

In Last Man Standing season 9 episode 3 titled "High On The Corporate Ladder", the story centers around Mike Baxter, who is the manager of an outdoor sporting goods store in Denver, Colorado. Mike is a conservative man who often finds himself at odds with his liberal family members, but he always tries to hold true to his beliefs and values.

In this episode, Mike is trying to climb the corporate ladder at his store by working hard and impressing his boss. However, his plans are derailed when his boss, Ed, announces that he is stepping down from his position and appointing his daughter, Brooke, as the new CEO of the company. Not only is Mike disappointed that he will not be able to move up in the company, but he is also worried about what changes Brooke will make to the business.

Mike is not the only one concerned about the new CEO. Vanessa, his wife, is worried that Brooke will change the company's focus from outdoor sports to something more commercial, which would go against Mike's values. Meanwhile, their daughter Mandy is excited to meet Brooke, as she has always dreamed of working in the corporate world.

As Mike prepares for a meeting with Brooke, he is nervous about how the conversation will go. He wants to express his concerns about the company and his desire to move up in the ranks, but he also wants to make a good impression on the new CEO. When he finally meets Brooke, he is surprised to find that she is a lot like him in terms of values and beliefs. They even bond over their love of hunting and the outdoors.

However, things take a turn when Brooke asks Mike to fire one of his employees who she feels is not performing up to company standards. Mike is hesitant to fire the employee, who is a friend of his, but he knows that he needs to do what is best for the company. He ultimately decides to let the employee go, which causes tension between him and his family.

Throughout the episode, Mike struggles with his desire to move up in the company and his loyalty to his family and friends. He eventually learns that he does not have to sacrifice his values to be successful in the business world and that he can still make a difference in the company by staying true to his beliefs.

"High On The Corporate Ladder" is a thought-provoking episode that explores the challenges of balancing personal values and career goals. It showcases the evergreen struggle of many individuals. The episode hits all the right notes, bringing humor and drama together with a story that is both compelling and relatable. Fans of the show are sure to enjoy this latest installment of Last Man Standing.