Conceal Your Intentions: keep people off balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. If they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense. Guide them far enough down the wrong path, and envelop them in enough smoke, and by the time they realize your intentions, it will be too late.
What a tightrope this may be. Ambition may be the deciding factor. On the way to your prize, there are people who assist and those who hinder. I think the key is in the silent identification of enemies and allies, remaining agile carving your own path.