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Tag: The infinite game

  • Addressing “macro” and “micro” aspects of running an organization

    Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “The Infinite Game”

    The top three positions of a company i.e. the CEO(Chief Executive Officer) , COO(Chief Operating Officer) & CFO(Chief Financial Officer) are responsible for running a company.

    Chief Executive Officer is the one who needs to have the vision to run a company with an infinite mindset.This is the position where the need is to help the organization keep playing an infinite game and hence the position should be better known as CVO(Chief Vision Officer).This is more to do with the “macro aspects” of managing the company.

    On the other hand requisite support on “micro aspects” should be provided to the CVO by the COO and CFO.

    This should lay the basis of running the company with an infinite mindset.

  • Subtle differences between “Performance” & “Trust”

    Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “The Infinite Game”.

    Whereas performance relates to IQ(Intelligence Quotient) , trust relates to EQ(Emotional Quotient)

    Performance is given more value by finite minded leaders who put numbers ahead of people.

    Trust is given more value by infinite minded leaders who are willing to take the risks to form trusting teams.

    In the modern day workplace there is an increasing emphasis being given to trust since performance can be taught whereas trust is more human in nature.

  • “Organization as a plant” metaphor

    Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “The Infinite Game”

    No matter how strong an organization or plant is , no matter how tall it is , if a plant is not able to produce new seeds , if an organization is not able to produce new leaders , then the ability to thrive for generations is at risk.

  • What goes into forming “high performing teams”?

    Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “The Infinite Game”

    Trusting teams are those which are based on the foundation of trust.People trust each other , collaboration is a byproduct and people feel free to express their vulnerability.

    Biologically human beings are hardwired to protect outselves.When we do not feel safe feeling of mistrust results and performance gets hampered.

    High performing teams are those where people trust each other , are willing to protect each other’s interests and are willing to give their blood sweat and tear to advance a just cause.

    Trusting teams are pioneered by infinite minded leaders willing to take the requisite risks to create the right environment

  • Willingness to express vulnerability

    Adopted from Simon Sinek’s book titled “The Infinite Game”

    Trusting teams are those where the members feel safe under an infinite minded leader.Collaboration is the key snd the members are willing to give their blood , sweat and tear to advance a just cause.

    When members work in Trusting Teams , they feel safe to express their vulnerability.Feeling safe to raise hand and admit mistakes , brings out the best in the team members.

  • “Will” or “Resources” which is easier to control?

    In an infinite game of business “will” relates to human metrices for e.g inspiration , motivation , trust etc.

    Whereas “resources” refer to profit , revenues etc.

    Needlessly to say “resources” depend on external factors like customers , shareholders and are not in the control of a leader.

    What is internal to an organization and can be controlled as well as nurtured is “will” of employees to drive revenues.

    This is exactly what an infinite ninded leader does as very aptly mentioned by Simon Sinek in “The Infinite Game”

  • Why a “Just Cause” is like a “War of Independence”

    A “Just Cause” as mentioned by Simon Sinek in “The Infinite Game” is the vision espoused by the infinite minded leader to enable an organization to sustain in the infinite game.

    A just cause needs to be deeply personal to those who hear it and for those who espouse it.The more personal the message is , the more deeply or emotions will be stoked to advance the just cause.

    This is similar to the “war of independence”.All those who are inspired to fight the battle of independence don’t fight the battle for themselves but for liberating the country from foreign rule so that the countrymen can lead an independent life free from foreign oppression.

    The similarities are thus worth mentioning to truly understand the meaning of a “Just cause”

  • “Moon shots” do come with an expiration date

    Moon shots are bold inspiring finite goals within the “Infinite Game” not instead of the infinite game.

    When John Kennedy had inspired the citizens of USA by proposing the “Landing on Moon” challenge , he offered an infinite context for the finite objective.

    His message said:

    “We set sail on the new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained , and new right to be won , and they must be won and used for the progress of all people.”

    Though this seemed an impossible mission at that time , the objective was finite.Hence even though this was a super human achievement for mankind , very few people seem to still remember and get inspired by it.

    This makes “moon shots” separate from a “just cause” which is core to an “infinite game”

    Simon Sinek makes these apt points in his book titled “The Infinite Game”

  • Risks associated with product centered vision statements

    Vision statements that place product at the center of the vision are only useful as long as nothing better comes along , there is no deviation in market conditions and there in no disruptive technology that is invented.

    This thus makes a lot of finite minded assumptions which renders the product extinct in a scenario when a new player comes up with a disruptive product.

    Also communicating the product as the “best” in the vision statement makes the company statement fall flat when a newer better product is eventually invented by a disruptive player and hence instead of focusing on  the product it would be much better to highlight what consumer pain point the product would be able to solve.

    Simon Sinek highlights these points while mentioning about “A Just Cause” in his book titled “The Infinite Game”.

  • Why CSR is not same as “A Just Cause”?

    A company cannot be cause driven just because of charitable grants as part of its CSR(Corporate Social Responsibility).

    No amount of CSR should be able to offset the excessive finite focus the company may be having.

    A CSR should be part of a broader strategy to advance the “Just Cause”.The way a company makes money as well as the way in which is gives money for e.g. via charitable means should both contribute towards advancing the “Just Cause”.

    Simon Sinek very aptly makes these points to highlight how CSR is different than a “Just Cause”.