The Infinite Game

The Infinite Game is a book by Simon Sinek published in 2019. The book distinguishes between two different types of games: finite and infinite. In finite games—like football or chess—the players are known, the rules are fixed and there's an agreed-upon objective that ends the game with a winner often being declared. Infinite games, on the other hand, can be played by known and unknown players, there are no exact rules and the length of play is infinite. There is no winning in infinite games. The objective is to continue playing the game. Examples of infinite games include business, politics and life itself. Leaders who embrace an infinite mindset, says Sinek, will eventually build stronger, more innovative and more inspiring organisations with the resilience to thrive in an ever-changing world.[1]

Not to be confused with Finite and Infinite Games, an earlier book on the same topic.
The Infinite Game
First edition
AuthorSimon Sinek
LanguageEnglish
SubjectLeadership
GenreBusiness
Published2019
PublisherPortfolio/Penguin
Publication date
2019
Pages251
ISBN9780735213500

Overview

The game of business fits all the requirements of an infinite game. There may be known as well as unknown players. New players can join at any time. Each player has their own strategy and there is no set of fixed rules (other than the law). There is no beginning and there is no end. In an infinite game like business there are no winners or losers. Rather, players simply drop out when they run out of the will and resources to continue playing. In this context, business leaders should stop thinking about who wins or who is the best and start thinking about how to build strong and healthy organizations that can stand the test of time.

Leaders who want to adopt an infinite mindset must follow five essential practices:

  • Advance a Just Cause
  • Build Trusting Teams
  • Study their Worthy Rivals
  • Prepare for Existential Flexibility
  • Demonstrate the Courage to Lead.

Just Cause

A Just Cause is what gives our work (or that of an organization) meaning. It is the world we hope to build and what inspires us to keep playing the infinite game. A Just Cause must be:

  • For something—affirmative and optimistic
  • Inclusive—open for all to contribute
  • Service oriented—for the benefit of others
  • Resilient—able to endure change
  • Idealistic—big, bold and ultimately unachievable

A Just Cause is not our Why. Why is our origin story, who we are, our values and beliefs. A Just Cause is our vision of the future.

See also

References
  1. Sinek, Simon (2019). The Infinite Game. Portfolio/Penguin. p. 151. ISBN 9780735213500.

Further reading


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