Over the last three years, starting from the beginning of 2019, I dedicated myself to mastering physics and mathematics, finding immense pleasure in the process. Prior to this, my focus was on understanding the human psyche, exploring areas commonly buzzed about like leadership, soft skills, and the power of influence. Though not as immediately gratifying, I now recognize the importance of these skills.

Throughout millennia, the plight of human elites, struggling within their ordinary existence, has deeply troubled me. I aspire not to be a brilliant mind in a world where such brilliance often equates to material scarcity. Ideally, the opposite would be true.

Intelligent individuals frequently overlook or even scorn the significance of understanding human emotions and motivations, leading to their own downfall. Figures like Stalin, who exploited this oversight, amassed power at the expense of countless brilliant minds.

I am determined to avoid becoming part of this narrative of tragedy.

A compelling tactic highlighted by Robert in his acclaimed book “Influence” illustrates this point: if you initially ask for something outlandish and then scale back to a more reasonable request, people are more likely to agree. This approach is particularly effective in professional settings for negotiating promotions or salary increases.

Another critical insight into human behavior is the discomfort and envy that often arise when someone close to us surpasses our achievements. This jealousy, driven by primitive instincts, can estrange even the closest of relationships, including those between parents and children, or among colleagues and supervisors. Contrarily, we tend to be more accepting of the accomplishments of strangers than those of our close associates. This echoes Machiavelli’s centuries-old advice not to outshine one’s superiors, a principle that remains a fundamental strategy for navigating the complexities of human interaction.