The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek

In the first episode of our new season, we discuss Simon Sinek’s latest book ‘The Infinite Game’. This is a book that is very relevant for the time that we are currently living through and one that provides a new way of thinking about how we choose to lead. 

Whenever there are at least two players, a game exists. And there are two kinds of games: finite and infinite.

• A finite game is like a game of football - everyone knows the rules, they largely play by them, and there is a set time period at which point someone is declared a winner. 
• Infinite games, by contrast, have infinite time horizons, they are played by both known and unknown players, and there are no exact rules. Crucially, because there is no finish line or no practical end to the game, there is no such thing as winning in an infinite game.

The critical problem, and the heart of this book, is that unfortunately most leaders confuse these two games, and by adopting a finite mindset in an infinite game we are creating significant problems. Samie and James review in more depth the difference between these two types of games and the cost of the short term ‘finite game’ mindset. The different elements of what constitutes an infinite mindset are discussed, as well as an acknowledgement of what it takes to have the courage to lead in this way.