Half of this stuff is what it takes to survive in a toxic, low-trust corporate environment.

> if someone is confusing or upsetting you, assume it is your fault

Usually it's because they're doing some shit that they shouldn't be doing. Usually your gut is right.

> interpret others' actions in the context of your fears (this one is spot on)

If experience shows that they play a bunch of fucked up political games and aren't candid about anything, isn't this just making a data-driven assumption?

> pivot conversations when someone asks you about something you actually know or are good at, it might be a trick, tell them you're dumb instead

Or even better, actively try to lead them down a rabbithole which you know will eventually be useless so that it wastes their time.