What does it take to survive in the corporate world?

Chalaaki

Skill & hard work is must. But most importantly you need to have complete awareness of what the firm needs and constantly work on things to create value. That's what matters most

I’m sorry to say but in the long run - it’s actually talent and hard work

Impact and visibility of the work, communication skills, luck, talent

Bournvita

Well you can survive with talent and hardwork. But getting to the top and all the being the blue eyed boy required fair amount of creating visibility , keeping you boss happy but your super boss happier.

Talent plus definitely a good team and manager

Luck

Get aligned whether you like or not. Get along, talent. Connections, visibility

If you don't do 3 , you won't even get the chances to show your talent or do smart work. Humans operate with biases. They are not perfectly logical beings. As admiral general aladeen says, suck the fatoot of the big guy and you will be fine.. Painful realisation after spending more than a decade in this ecosystem. All cos big and small operate this way, levels differ