Notes on What Almost Every Leader Gets Wrong by Simon Sinek via Inc.

Source: Simon Sinek.

Source: Simon Sinek.

When I watched it: December 2019

Why I watched it: I saw an ad for Simon Sinek’s new book, The Infinite Game, and I wanted a sneak peek. I found this video on YouTube and it was exactly what I was looking for. After watching it, I bought the book and I’m already halfway through it.

Go to the video page for details and to watch or scroll down for my notes.

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My notes

In this video, Simon Sinek explains his upcoming book, The Infinite Game, and why there are no rules in business.

Problem ⇒ we live in a world with overwhelming pressures on us:

  • make the numbers

  • hit the target

Almost all business is based on quarterly and annual results.

And most workers are incentivized based on these results.

The targets and dates are arbitrary ⇒ Somebody picked a number ⇒ and it's one year because that's when we pay taxes (good point… is there really any other reason for annual goal?)

James Carse wrote Finite and Infinite Games (1986)

  • Proposes two types of games:

    • Finite game - defined as known players, fixed rules and agreed-upon objectives (to win)

    • Infinite game - defined as known and unknown players, changeable rules, and the objective is to perpetuate the game (to stay in it as long as possible)

We all play infinite games in life (where there is no winner / no finish line). Examples:

  • Marriage

  • Friendship 

  • Politics

  • Education 

  • Careers

  • *Business* (This is where Sinek focuses)

But, we act as if these games are finite. 

Business leaders talk about being number one and beating the competition (but this is not a finite game).

We need a new set of directions to guide us on how to play in the infinite games of life ⇒ Sinek’s new book (The Infinite Game) provides this. 

The concept of shareholder supremacy was a theory proposed in the late 1970s ⇒ popularized in the 80s and 90s ⇒ and today it’s the standard

Millennials are growing up in a world in which companies offer no loyalty.

Milton Friedman ⇒ proposed that the responsibility of business is to maximize profit within the bounds of law.

(What about ethics?) ⇒ Acting within the bounds of the law that is a very low standard

The Infinite Game challenges the finite thinking that governs most businesses and offers a new perspective.

What an infinite game-minded company looks like:

  • They have a just cause 

    • There's a sense of adherence to the cause and advancement of the cause ( there isn’t a sense of winning)

  • They have trusting teams

    • There’s a greater concentration of trust ⇒ teams are willing to ask for help, offer help, and own mistakes (there isn’t fear).

  • They have a worthy rival 

    • They view competitors as rivals ⇒ a rival is someone whose strengths reveals your own weaknesses ⇒ opportunities to improve (there’s no beating the competition)

  • They’re able to make an existential flex

  • They have the courage to lead

The finite is so much easier ⇒ it’s measurable

Finite thinking leads to protecting the status quo. Examples of finite-mindedness:

  • the publishing industry didn't invent Amazon

  • the movie industry didn't invent Netflix

    • (Blockbuster CEO saw Netflix coming, but board wouldn’t let him change business model)

  • the car companies didn't come up with Tesla

Video NotesRick LindquistLeadership