Newton's law might explain why ketchup drips from your burger - but it can't explain why it happens every time you wear a white shirt. That would be Murphy's law: if something can go wrong, it will. Just as the laws of physics govern the natural world, our working lives are shaped by unwritten rules that won't appear in textbooks, but whose impact is no less significant.

Here, the bestselling authors of The Decision Book bring together the best timeless principles, proven methods and unwritten laws that determine success in today's workplace. Some are immediately intuitive, others are backed by long study. Some are world famous, others among the best-kept secrets of the professionals. But they all have one thing in common: they come from lived experience. And they explain modern working life better than any MBA. From the Peter Principle (every employee rises to the level of their incompetence) to Agnes Allen's law (it's easier to get into something than it is to get out), and from KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) to the IKEA Effect (we're biased towards things we've had a part in making), these simple models will help you think more clearly, make smarter decisions and survive any amount of stupidity the world throws at you.