Career Trajectory: Rise to the Top

1. Never actually do anything.
Doing things carries risk—do more and you make more mistakes, do less and you make fewer, and don't do anything at all and you make none.
This is especially true when facing uncertain situations.
If you're someone who gets things done, people will inevitably find something to hold against you.

2. Always be skilled at stirring up trouble and sowing discord.
Imagine a company with two senior executives: A is in charge of tackling tough projects, and you're B.
Since A has to push people to work overtime on these tough projects, people will inevitably resent them. Go to the team and fan the flames—say that A is making everyone work overtime just to build his credentials. That kind of talk always plays well.
Then turn around and whisper to the boss that everyone is complaining about A. When the boss investigates, he'll find that you were telling the truth.
Along the way, he'll also pick up on the fact that your reputation far outshines A's.
It's simple: you don't get things done, so of course your reputation looks better than A's.
If A fails to deliver or stumbles in some small way, you've got the perfect ammunition to strike.
And even if A succeeds, you can keep spreading rumors—hinting at themes like "too much merit to be trusted" or "outshining the master."
In short, master these two tactics and you'll climb the corporate ladder with ease.