12 real-life 'games' backed by game theory, where everyone comes out on top. Level up your relationships, career, and daily hustle.
Life Isn't Zero-Sum. Here's How You Win, Together.
We're taught that for you to win, someone else has to lose. In exams, in jobs, in life. This is the zero-sum fallacy. It's exhausting, and it's wrong.
The smartest people don't just play the game; they change it. They find moves where everyone benefits. These are called 'win-win' or positive-sum games. Let's learn the rules.
Sharing a pizza? Or anything, really. One person divides it. The other person gets the first pick. This simple rule forces the cutter to be perfectly fair. No arguments, just delicious equality.
Stop assigning tasks randomly. Identify strengths. The best writer should write. The best designer should design. You're not just splitting work; you're multiplying talent. The result is an A+ project and less individual stress.
Don't frame a raise as you taking more money. Frame it as an investment. Show the value you'll create with new skills or responsibilities. It's not you vs. the company; it's you and the company growing together.
Traffic is a multiplayer game everyone is losing. Coordinate with colleagues or neighbours for carpooling. You save money, reduce stress, and reclaim your time from the chaos. A collective win against the gridlock.
Unwashed dishes create a 'tragedy of the commons'. Instead of a rigid rota, try a 'chore auction'. Everyone bids on tasks they dislike the least. The worst jobs get done by those who mind them the least.
Want to build a connection? Ask for a small, easy favour. Science shows people like you more after they've helped you. Their brain justifies the effort by deciding you're worth it. A tiny ask creates a real bond.
Start by giving value first, no strings attached. Share your notes. Help a colleague with a problem. This 'Tit-for-Tat' strategy builds a bank of goodwill, making collaboration the default setting in your relationships.
Contribute to an open-source project online. You get real-world experience and a stronger portfolio. The global community gets better free software. Your skill grows, and so does the public good.
Battling over the aux cord? Create a collaborative playlist. Everyone adds songs. You discover new music, and everyone gets to hear what they like. It turns a potential conflict into a shared experience.
Criticism stings. To make it count, sandwich it between two genuine compliments. 'You're great at presenting. If you tweak this slide, the impact will be even stronger. Your energy is amazing.' They'll hear you, and you'll see change.
When a group can't agree on their top choice for a movie or restaurant, find the option that is everyone's second or third choice. It's often the point of highest collective happiness, avoiding the 'tyranny of the majority'.
Use price-matching guarantees. You get the best deal without endless searching. The store secures a sale they might have lost to a competitor. Both sides win by cooperating to establish a fair price.
Life is an infinite series of interactions. These aren't just 'hacks'; they are strategies to build a more cooperative, successful, and less stressful world for you and everyone around you.
The master player doesn't aim to crush their opponents. They create a new game where everyone is playing on the same team. Now, go change the rules.