A Note from the Author xiii
Introduction 1
1. Inside Game, Outside Game 11
Negotiating Power 11
Graduating into Uncertainty 17
Comparative Advantage 20
Game Recap 22
2. Choosing Games 25
Skill versus Luck 26
Rules and Starting Conditions 29
Marginal Benefit and Marginal Cost 37
Cheating 39
When to Challenge the Rules 41
The Value of Winning 44
Changing Goals 46
Game Recap 51
3. Information is an Advantage 53
Ultimatums 53
Deception 57
Fearing the Unknown 59
Negotiating under Uncertainty 60
Overthinking 62
Mitigating Risk 65
Game Recap 65
Dreams of Dream Jobs 67
Differentiating Yourself 67
Selecting the Optimal Employer 68
Moving for a New Job 69
Creating the Perfect Resume 71
Preparing for a Job Interview 75
Playing the Interview Game 76
Curating References 78
Unanimous Decisions 79
Game Recap 80
5. Buying a Home 83
Deciding to Move 84
Understanding the Housing Market 86
Creating a Housing Budget 89
Identifying Needs and Wants 91
Avoiding Common Mistakes 93
Bidding on a Home 98
Game Recap 101
6. Workplace Conflict 103
Workplace Bullies 104
Employee Satisfaction 107
Gender Stereotypes in the Workplace 109
Evade or Confront? 111
Identifying Enemies and Allies 114
Signaling Strength 115
Game Recap 118
7. Getting Promoted 121
The Meritocracy Myth 121
The Challenges of Performance Evaluations 122
Backward Induction: The Secret Path to Victory 129
Corporate Hierarchies 132
Influencing the Kingmakers 133
The Importance of Allies 135
Game Recap 138
8. Balancing Family and Career 141
Social Pressures and Gender Norms 141
Marriage is a Game 144
The Benefits of Commitment 146
Marriage as a Financial Strategy 148
Working while Pregnant 151
Unconscious Bias 155
Discrimination and the Persistence of Stereotypes 159
Game Recap 160
9. Knowing your Worth 163
Reassessing Inside Options 163
Understanding Reference Points 166
Higher-Order Beliefs 169
When to Keep Your Mouth Shut 170
Signaling Outside Options 173
Bluffing 175
Knowing Your Worth 179
Game Recap 182
10. Optimizing your Life 185
When Optimizing Isn't an Option 185
Saving 187
Investing 189
Rebalancing Work and Life 192
Game Recap 200
11. Selling a Home 203
Assessing Home Values 204
Preparing to Sell 205
Setting the Price 206
Selecting a Buyer 208
Game Recap 211
12. A Code for Winners 213
Epilogue 217
Acknowledgments 221
Glossary 223
Notes 235
Index 253