Navigating the workplace can often feel like a game of high-stakes covert ops.

But it's important to remember that you're probably just dealing with spreadsheets and corporate strategies, not life or death situations.

You can still learn from people who've dealt in the latter, however.

Because The Art of Intelligence by MasterClass is a new series of classes wherein you'll gain wisdom directly from three former CIA intelligence officers.

Those officers are Brian Carbaugh, former director of the CIA's Special Activities Center; Dawn Meyerriecks, former deputy director of the CIA for science and technology; and Michael Morell, former deputy director of the CIA. 

So, people who've seen some things.

Together, the trio will share their real-life experiences and the decision-making frameworks they've relied on in high-stakes situations, giving you tools to think strategically, overcome challenges, and stay ahead of the game. Enlist these lessons at work, in your personal relationships or wherever you see fit. Classes include:

• Building Meaningful Relationships: Learn to recognize other people's challenges and motivations by listening, and build a foundation of trust by practicing patience.
• Showing Empathy: Learn why it is important to listen first and talk second and to ask follow-up questions to show interest.
• Conquering Imposter Syndrome: Learn self-reflection strategies such as picturing yourself as you want to be seen, and self-talk to embrace your expertise and enhance your performance when leading a meeting, public speaking, or asking for a raise.
• Speaking Truth to Power: Learn the importance of investing in relationships with your superiors and why those who come with solutions when presenting problems often get ahead in the workplace.
• Creating a Safe Space for Challenging Authority: Learn how to model high-humility and low-ego leadership by soliciting feedback from the most junior people first—and why the most senior person in the room should not sit at the head of the table.

You'll also get some insider (declassified) access to stories from Iraq and North Korea, including takeaways that can be applied to not-so-serious situations in your own life.

Like who keeps taking your clearly-marked lunches out of the office fridge.