We all want to get ahead and fulfil our ambitions at work. But what's the best way to do it? Simple, naked Social Darwinism? Become the biggest, baddest predator? The proverbial 800-pound gorilla? Or does nature teach us to be more subtle and sophisticated?

Richard Conniff shows us that nature built us to be nice. Doing favours, sharing food, grooming coworkers with kind words and hot gossip, building coalitions - these are not just our best tools for getting ahead, they also come straight from the natural world. This fascinating book demonstrates how we can become more effective in our own lives by understanding how other species negotiate the tricky balance between conflict and cooperation. It shows how real animals can teach us better ways to thrive in the workplace jungle.