Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Life is an infinite game ‐ the goal is not to win, the goal is to play as long as possible. Few people realize business is an infinite game as well
– you can hit your profit target, but no one will stop the game to give you a trophy. Leaders who play the infinite game of business with a
finite mindset struggle to stay in the game:
Finite business leaders who lay people off to cut costs kill long‐term innovation.
A finite business manager who keeps a high‐performing jerk on the team to hit short‐term targets erodes the team’s morale and
long‐term performance.
If you approach business with a finite mindset, you’ll discover that chasing wins loses its thrill, and your drive to play gradually disappears.
But when you adopt an infinite mindset, you sustain your drive, perform better, and love the people you work with. Approaching business
with an infinite mindset allows you to build a business that thrives long after you leave the game. Here is how you play the game of
business with an infinite mindset despite being pressured to play finite games:
Test your "Just Cause" by imagining you have a profitable business but discover a better way to achieve your long‐term vision (either by
developing a new product or using a new business model). Would you be willing to overhaul your business and give up significant short‐
term profits to better achieve your long‐term vision? If your "Just Cause" passes that test, repeat it yourself at the start of every workday
(like the work kickoff mantra). Then, explain every decision in terms of how it helps your "Just Cause." As long as you stay dedicated to
your “Just Cause” and the people behind it, you'll generate the money you need to stay in the game.
A worthy rival not only pushes you to be better, but it can also help you clarify your “Just Cause.” In the 80s, Apple
used IBM as a foil to help tell the world that Apple was for misfits and innovators. If IBM empowered corporations, Apple empowered the
individual.
List at least five competitors who can push you to be better. Then journal on the question: "Who on this list can strengthen my Cause and
improve my process the most? And how might they do that?"
Remember: in the infinite game of business, the rules will change, but you don't have to wait for them to change ‐ you can redefine the
game's rules at any time.
www.ProductivityGame.com