Two Types of Games

In the mid 1980s, a philosopher by the name of Dr James Carse wrote a book called “Finite and Infinite Games”. 

In this book, he defined these two types of games – a finite game has known players, fixed rules and agreed-upon objectives.  Games like footy, soccer, hockey – there’s always a beginning, middle and an end.  There’s a winner, which means there has to be a loser.

Infinite games have known AND unknown players, which means new players can join the game at any time; the rules are changeable which means any player can play however they want; the objective is to stay in the game as long as possible.

We are players in infinite games every day.  There’s no such thing as being number one in our marriage, you can place first in something at school but you can’t ‘win’ education, nobody ever ‘wins’ career and there’s no such thing as winning business.

This concept, written about more recently by Simon Sinek (Start With Why Leaders Eat Last) has effected a change in my own mindset.  Many leaders speak of being number one, being the best and beating their competition.  Based on what?  Based on what agreed objectives, timeframes or metrics?

This is a problem.  When we play an infinite game with a finite mindset – when we play to win in a game that has no finish line, there are a few predictable and consistent outcomes – including the decline of trust, the decline of innovation and the decline of cooperation.

Sinek recommends these five essential practices for the infinite game:

• Advance a ‘Just Cause’ (A Just Cause is a specific vision of a future state that does not yet exist; a future state so appealing that people are willing to make sacrifices in order to help advance toward that vision.  It describes the world we hope to live in and will commit to help build.)
• Build Trusting Teams
• Study your Worthy Rivals
• Prepare for Existential Flexibility (the ability of an infinite minded leader to initiate a disruption to a strategy or business model in order to advance a just cause)
• Demonstrate the Courage to Lead

This infinite game concept has really caused me to rethink my approach to business/ coaching business owners:

• The short game will likely end up with only short gains – the aim should be the Infinite Game.
• The goal is not just short-term profits, but long-term…endurance; loyalty; community…
• Be very clear about developing a true Just Cause.  And stick to seeking to fulfil that cause!

If you're up for a chat/ coffee to explore what this could mean for your business, let's organise that.