Simon Sinek
The Infinite Game
Materials Needed
Journels
Pencil
Discover
A finite game is played with fundamentally different rules than an infinite game. Watch the short video below.
Simon Sinek explains the difference between rules for a finite game and an infinite one.
Deepen
Our work and personal lives are infinite games. We need to focus on the long-term. That means our choices are not about right or wrong, good or bad, winning or losing, they are about the quality of the lives we want to live and contributions we want to make.
Pick either your work or personal life and ask yourself:
- What’s (at least) one finite rule I’ve brought into this infinite game?
- How would I change it so that I am more focused on improving my quality of life or the contribution I’d like to make?
Do
We don’t get to choose if we want to play in the infinite game or not, we just get to choose the rules by which we play.
—Simon Sinek
What decision are you facing right now that you could apply your new infinite rule to?
Assessment
Take the assessment below to reflect on what you have learned about the infinite game in this course. Make notes in your journal about the ways you have seen growth and how you can continue to apply your learnings.
- Where have you seen improvement?
- What have you learned about yourself as a leader?
Instructions:
Use the scale below to rate yourself.
1 – Never True of Me
2 – Rarely True of Me
3 – Sometimes True of Me
4 – Mostly True of Me
5 – Always True of Me
Assessment Questions:
1. My organization has a just cause that I strongly believe in.
2. I look at myself as my ultimate competitor, while looking at others as worthy rivals who can make me better.
3. I look at work with the perspective of whether I’m “ahead or behind” vs. whether I’m “winning or losing.”
4. I view my choices as how they impact the quality of life or contribution I want to make vs. viewing them as “right or wrong, winning or losing.”
5. I have a service mindset, understanding the primary benefit of my contributions should go to others not me.
6. I create an environment where people can work at their natural best.
7. I believe I am not responsible for the results, but responsible for the people who are responsible for the results.
8. I want to see others rise and grow.
9. I work with a “flexible playbook,” making decisions that may cause short-term pain to achieve long-term results.
10. I am willing to take a courageous stand to work toward long-term results even if the short-term is painful.