Over the past two months, I have immersed myself in a ball game only played at the upper echelons of regional businesses. As expected, life will not be smooth sailing this year, and I should very well brace myself for the many storms ahead. Of course, this is all part of the challenge I readily accepted when I cast away everything in Singapore for a taste of the real fast track.

Little, if not practically no control is given over my own time. Meetings run wild in the day, while work gets done in the middle of the night. Not forgetting the constant plotting of minds in search of power and influence. Other than my weekend escapes in the warm embrace of my wife, the brain sees little rest, kept awake by the very knowledge that resting can really fatal.

A few interesting lessons I have learnt:

1) Capability is Nothing, Trust is Everything

In a job, capability only makes sure you are not fired. Having spent most of my life honing capabilities, and having attributed my previous failures to the lack of capability, I now come to the realization of what the hell is wrong.

Most people survive with little capability. To get into the position to effect change, your capability is of little matter. Your ability to win the hearts of those above you is what matters most, for they are those who will place you in the position. Only then will capability come in, and still, not so much, for it is more important to know how to use the capable.

2) Everyone has a hidden agenda

This is only the case at the highest rungs, much like the ancient Chinese courts, all in power want more, and it is up to you to figure out what they want, and make them believe you have their interests at heart. Weave their works to serve your interests indirectly, while serving their interests directly.

3) You always need Plan B, and maybe C and D

At such levels, pay scales and permanence of employment are as volatile as the roulette tables. Favour and disfavour can change overnight, and dynasties rise and fall with the sun. Having multiple lines of development safeguards not just your bank account, but literally your very survival.

4) Lose Yourself

For this I do not mean it literally, but rather, in public view. Similar to the 48th Law of assuming formlessness, one would need to make sure people see you not for who you are, but what you want them to believe. These masks need to be carefully worn, and never taken off.

There is more to the above, and while it is a tiring task to play the game, the potential rewards are simply quite attractive. In the end, I just need a comfortable amount to fund my retirement, and live happily ever after (how jellyfish…).