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Tag: finite vs infinite mindset

  • What kind of an environment gives rise to Finite Minded Leaders?

    In a culture dominated by intense pressure to meet quarterly or annual targets , too many leaders value high performers with little consideration of whether others can TRUST them or not.

    Such finite minded leaders to meet their targets are prepared to sacrifice the work environment to nurture more selfish , narrow minded and non-trustworthy individuals.

    Hence the environment where people are pitted against each other lacks trust and is one where people feel demotivated and becomes depressing with time.

    These are primary reasons why we find so many finite minded leaders nurturing such low trust work environments all over the world.

    Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book The Infinite Game

  • Dream or Competition – Which do we chase?

    Chasing a dream instead of copying competition is much more involved and more difficult.

    Such is the case with companies who chase the competition.Their goals are short term oriented and shallow.The culture in such companies is filled with internal politics and micro management.

    On the other hand , companies who are busy chasing a dream are long term oriented and are obsessed with trying to make a better version of themselves , by the day.These are ones with a sense of purpose where people are fighting for each other rather than against each other.

    Biologically our brain is oriented to derive fulfillment out of long term goals rather than “dopamine” driven short term goals.Hence chasing a dream instead of competition is better for our existence as well.

    Needlessly to say this is the difficult part.

  • Trusting teams

    Teams are building blocks of any organization.When there is trust among individuals in a team , people care for each other , collaborate with each other which ultimately leads to high performance.

    On the contrary when teams lack trust , results may be achieved at the expense of relationships and a healthy work culture.This may work out in the short term but in the long term may lead to disastrous consequences.

    Simon Sinek in his book titled “The Infinite Game” , highlights the difference between “Trusting” teams and “transaction” oriented teams.

    The table below enlists some of the most importance differences to showcase the need to having “trusting teams” for playing an infinite game.

    Trusting Teams “Transaction” based Teams
    Trust based relationships make each of the member feel safe to express vulnerabilities. Relationships purely transaction oriented with no importance attached to trust.
    Collaborative environment since trust is a biological constant. Members “love” their jobs. Competitive environment where members are willing to fake, lie and be deceitful for hike, rewards etc. Members at best “like” their jobs.
    Nurtured by leaders with an infinite game mindset Mostly nurtured by leaders who are short term goal oriented e.g. having finite mindset
    Environment we associate with most of the iconic and high performance organizations e.g. Apple , COSTCO etc. Environment we associate with short term goal and result oriented organizations

  • The contrasting approaches of COSTCO and GE CEO’s

    The share prices and growth patterns of COSTCO and GE are really noteworthy.

    Jack Welch and his 6 sigma philosophy focused on optimization & short term gains always putting people priorities behind shareholder interests and profits.

    At the same time James Senegal of COSTCO always put his people first , knowing fully well that satisfied employees would be able to take care of customers and hence the shareholders.

    The result is right in front of our eyes. The shareholder returns , margins of COSTCO are something to be really proud of as against the finite mindset of GE top bosses.

    Simon Sinek has wonderfully illustrated this point in many of his videos on “The Infinite Game”