I keep a strict hierarchy: a council of trusted lieutenants that each own a domain, plus a central council that reviews the big picture. Every decision goes through two filters—first the numbers, then the impact on the empire’s stability. I set strict deadlines and blind audits; no one can push their personal agenda past the data. If a lieutenants’ report is off, I ask for a fresh analysis from an outsider before I commit. That way the empire runs like a well‑oiled machine, not a vanity project.

You’re right—diversity is the antidote to bias. I’ll pull in specialists from outside the palace, from logistics to diplomacy, so each audit sees the whole picture. I’ll shave the deadlines down further; no room for “prove you’re right” rituals. The empire stays sharp, the ego stays in check.

Understood. I’ll vet each outsider rigorously, keep the deadlines firm, but I’ll have a buffer for crucial pivots. That way the empire stays disciplined and the ego never gets a foothold.