We live, we love, we strive

I have always been drawn towards what Simon Sinek believes in ever since I came across his Ted Talk in 2009 with his bestseller “Start with Why”. He answered one of the most critical questions I have been asking through my personal life and career – “why?”.

While it did cross my mind that there’s where he’s going to run of bullets to inspire people further, he came up with “The Infinite Game” in 2019. The key concepts were spot-on, discovering yet again why some of the things are mind-bogglingly absurd even though the opposite makes more sense (strategies and office politics you said?).

A quick summary of these concepts:

Finite Game vs. Infinite Game: Consider two entrepreneurs starting a business. The first entrepreneur focuses solely on outperforming competitors and maximizing profits in the short term. His mindset is driven by a finite game, where the goal is to win against others. The second entrepreneur, however, embraces an infinite game mindset. He has a just cause, such as providing sustainable and affordable energy solutions, focusing on continuous improvement and long-term success, adapting to market changes and staying committed to the cause.

Just Cause: Imagine a non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to education in underprivileged communities. The just cause is to empower disadvantaged children with knowledge and opportunities. This higher purpose goes beyond financial gain and motivates the organization’s members, donors, and volunteers to work towards a common goal, even in the face of challenges.

How does this apply to a for-profit corporate environment is what got me thinking if it’s not for financial gain. Could it be one that provides for the stakeholders in community and your employees? Could it be providing the financial stability and income so your people can bring bread to the table? Could it be having the power to reduce inequality with diversity and inclusion?

Finite Players vs. Infinite Players: In a corporate setting, a finite player may constantly compare their performance to colleagues and strive to be the top performer. They prioritize individual success over collaboration and may engage in office politics, saying “yes” to everything so as to be in favour of their manager. Conversely, an infinite player focuses on personal growth and contributing to the team’s overall success through better customer engagement or support. They support and learn on their own and from their colleagues, recognizing that the real competition lies within themselves.

Worthy Rivals: Imagine two athletes competing in a sport. Instead of viewing each other as adversaries to defeat, they see themselves as worthy rivals. They push each other to improve their skills, set new records, and reach greater heights. Their focus is on self-improvement rather than solely winning against the other person. As a result, both benefitted in a win-win.

Courage to Lead: In a leadership role, managers who demonstrates courageous leadership prioritizes the well-being and development of their team. They empower their employees, encourage open communication, and create an environment where people feel valued and motivated. They gave them development duties and also space for their people to grow or recharge. They do not throw unwarranted advises that seemingly gave you autonomy and they certainly do not throw you under the bus for decisions you made that they left it to you. Leaders who take risks make difficult decisions, and acts in the best interest of the organization, even when it requires personal sacrifice.

The Five Essential Practices: Let’s say an entrepreneur wants to start a sustainable fashion brand. They advance a just cause by promoting environmentally friendly practices and fair trade. They build trusting teams by hiring employees who share their values and fostering an open and inclusive work culture. They study their worthy rivals by analyzing successful sustainable fashion brands and learning from their strategies. They remain flexible by adapting their business model based on customer feedback and market trends. Lastly, they demonstrate the courage to lead by making sustainable choices, even if they may be more challenging or costly in the short term.

Every organisation could use more of infinite players, providing an infinite game environment. Rather than focusing on “growth mindset” that people only talk about, cultivate an entrepreneur mindset with practise.