Machiavellian Intelligence: How to Survive and Rise in the Modern Corporation

by Jonathan Gifford

The best way to secure yourself against being 'let go' in the modern economy is to rise to a level within the corporation where you are making the strategic decisions, not bearing the brunt of their consequences. It may be tough at the top, but it's dangerous in the middle -- and the rewards at the top are far greater. Machiavellian Intelligence argues that many intelligent and hard-working professionals with good leadership skills fail to maximize their career potential because of a number of instinctive 'good' habits - things that make them highly effective executives, well-liked and respected by their colleagues, but which are not best designed to take them to the very top of their chosen career.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[JunRong Ng · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest look at what it takes to succeed in the corporate world. The basic premise is that corporations are entities, primarily focused on their own survival. Corporations exist not to serve the needs of people. Therefore, habits and behaviours that makes people exemplary figures in human communities, do not apply in the corporate world. Worst still, they hurt your chances to climb to the top, for it is a zero-sun game.

Everyone is under the might hand of the CORPORATION, none is exempted. The earlier one recognises the game and how to play it, the faster one will come to peace with the happenings in the corporate world. That being said, the way of corporations is changing, and as players, we ought to adapt accordingly.

I’m glad to have read this book, 3 years into the corporate world.

[Sam Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book completely changed my perspective on my career and has reformed how I plan on moving up the ladder. Avoid taking every point literally, every person and company is different, but there are some gems in this book which are really helpful.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather cynical, but some interesting points.