With strong words and powerful policies, you mobilize an organized and capable group of people towards key corporate and political positions. By carefully maneuvering through the field, you're able to establish yourself and your covert organization as one of the most powerful factors on the world stage.
The plan had always been a sort of revolution, but now there are certain things underway. Funds are flowing and hands have been shaken which cannot be unshaken. On top of that, your values have changed slightly after being immersed in the world of power and wealth, as have those of many of your constituants.
In confidential conferences, the key members of your group agree; change is still necessity, but giving the power to the common folk is not the answer. The government can't have that power, either. No, only you few are capable of such a profound responsibility. Slowly, with great care and tact, you move from one of the most powerful people on the planet to being the most powerful. You take the reins of corporations and governments as if they were puppets.
You look down from your ivory tower (a tower literally built of ivory so that you could look down on your thralls), but something is still missing. They are all at your mercy, but they are not subjugated. They revere you, but they do not worship you. You are their ruler, not their god. There is more work to be done.
You have finally set your sights high enough. In time, all of humanity cowers at your name.