jockeying

Jockeying refers to the act of maneuvering to gain advantage or a favorable position in a competitive or cooperative setting. It can be used as a verb, as in to jockey for position, or as a noun, as in the ongoing jockeying for influence. The term derives from jockeys—professional riders who steer horses and time their moves to win races—serving as a metaphor for strategic adjustment and positioning.

In politics and governance, jockeying describes strategic posturing, timing, coalitions, and negotiation tactics used to secure resources, policy outcomes, or leadership roles. In diplomacy, it can involve balancing alliances, signaling intentions, and shaping international responses. In business, individuals or firms may jockey for leadership, market share, contractual terms, or favorable regulatory treatment, often through sequencing of announcements, bidding, or alliance-building.

In sports and entertainment, the concept appears in discussions of tactics and match planning, while in horse racing the literal meaning relates to how a jockey guides a horse on the track. In game theory and operations research, jockeying is used to analyze strategic moves that influence relative payoffs, including timing, signaling, and risk management. Potential consequences include improved outcomes when moves are well-timed and transparent, but also instability or perceived opportunism when jockeying becomes overtly self-serving or erodes trust. The term emphasizes process and interaction, rather than a single decisive action.