Jordan Harbinger avatar

Dexa/Jordan Harbinger

Learn more
Published Jan 16, 2020

300: Simon Sinek | How to Play the Infinite Game

Simon Sinek delves into the transformative power of trust and leadership in business, emphasizing the importance of his 'infinite game' mindset for sustainable success and ethical decisions, while also sharing invaluable public speaking strategies gained from his TEDx experience.
Episode Highlights
The Jordan Harbinger Show logo

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Questions from this episode

Episode Highlights

  • Infinite Game

    introduces the concept of the infinite game, contrasting it with finite games. Finite games have known players, fixed rules, and clear objectives, like sports. Infinite games, however, have changeable rules and no clear endpoint, focusing on perpetuating the game itself 1. Simon emphasizes that in infinite games, like careers or global politics, there are no winners, only players who stay in the game 2.

    There's no such thing as winning career. Like, no one is declared the winner of careers. There's no such thing as winning global politics, and there's no such thing as winning business. There's no winner of business.

    ---

    This mindset shift is crucial for long-term success and ethical decision-making.

       

    Business Applications

    Applying the infinite game mindset in business can lead to sustainable success. discusses how companies like Microsoft and Facebook have shifted between finite and infinite mindsets, impacting their long-term viability 3. He argues that focusing on short-term gains often leads to ethical lapses and long-term failures, as seen with Kodak's downfall 4.

    Kodak invented the digital camera, but they were too worried that the digital camera would steal market share from film sales.

    ---

    Companies that adopt an infinite mindset, like Patagonia and The Container Store, often endure short-term pain for long-term gain.

       

    Career Growth

    Simon applies the infinite game mindset to personal career development, emphasizing the importance of worthy rivals. He explains that worthy rivals help us improve by highlighting areas where we can grow, rather than being mere competitors 5. This approach fosters self-improvement and long-term success.

    I would much rather view the other players in the game as worthy rivals rather than competitors.

    ---

    By focusing on continuous growth and learning from others, individuals can achieve more meaningful and lasting success in their careers.

Related Episodes