1. Have a Just Cause a. Why does my organization exist? b. People would be willing to sacrifice to see the advancement of that cause. c. It is a vision of the future that does not yet exist and you will commit all of your energies to advance that vision of the world that you have. 2. Have courageous leadership a. Sacrifice the short term in order to advance the long term. b. Be willing to say no to the money that's coming from a dirty source and rather say yes to the greater/higher vision. 3. Have a trusting teams a. An environment in which people feel safe to raise their hand and say I made a mistake…(19:05) b. Feeling same in our own organization, so the energies of the teams is in advancing the Just Cause. 4. Have a worthy rival a. Your competition helps reveal to you your weaknesses. b. If they are better at something, it means you have to work harder yourself. c. Building strong foundations; looking long term. 5. Have a flexible playbook Amazing talk, I wish he had time to elaborate on the last point...
How to play an infinite game: 1. You have to have a just cause 2. You have to have courageous leadership 3. You have to have trusting teams 4. You have to have a worthy rival 5. You have to have a flexible playbook Definitely worth watching the whole video to hear his reasoning behind the points.
There is no such thing as short cuts. Oh jesus I dont feel like it. Listen those are nice keynotes but the viewers would miss the rest of the core values about the infinite game. I get that with an article and some are lazy for information but its bloody video mate. Doing these in the comments are counterproductive and defeats the purpose of the video. But hey its majority and that's the Path they choose to be out bested.
Great to know! I thought you had to define a function on the power set of the naturals and also define a payoff set which determine the winning conditions. I also thought you had to study a lot of mathematics and logic, and not just look at a motivational video on YT. I think I am studying the wrong subject.
I will probably listen to this at least 10 more times this week. There are so many gems here, I don’t believe it’s possible for one to absorb all of the knowledge in a single casual listen. Who else is taking notes and listening to this on repeat?
Ted Koppel: We used to give people the news they needed whether they wanted it or not. Now we give people the news they want whether they need it or not. - Best quote of the speech. Thank you. 14:28 School shootings: Children Lacking good relationships - Human relationships are missing. 15:35 IOC International Olympic Committee - Just cause/Mission statement - Advance the world, make the world a better place through sport, but for the fact that they're all corrupt. It is a great idea. 16:37 We confuse rank and leadership. Rank has nothing to do with leadership. I know many people who sit at the highest levels of organizations who are not leaders. They have authority and we do as they tell us because they have authority over us, but we would not follow them. And yet I know many people who sit at lower ranks who have no authority and yet they have made a choice. The choice to look after the person to the left of them and the choice to look after the person to the right of them, and we would trust them and follow them anywhere. Leadership is the acceptance of the awesome responsibility to create an environment in which people can work at their natural best. The senior most people in an organization are not responsible for the results. They are just not. Leadership's responsibility is to care of the people who work in the organization and if they feel that someone has their back. They will commit all of their excess energy and time to take care of the customers and each other. If they do not feel that their backs are protected, that someone has their best interest in mind, that the organization it self is trying to them advance as human beings then they will do exactly what the culture provides for them to do. Which is they will protect themselves from you. 17:04 Trusting teams. 18:56 A Trusting team is an environment in which people feel safe to raise their hand and say I made a mistake, I don't feel qualified to do the job that you have asked me to do and I need more training, I need help I am struggling at home and it is effecting my work, I am scared. With out any fear of humiliation or retribution or punishment whatsoever. If you do not have trusting teams inside your organization. What you do have is a group of people who show up to work every single day, lying, hiding, and faking. You are forcing them to, it is not their fault. You are creating an environment which people will not share mistakes for fear that it puts them on some sort of short list or just getting in trouble. They will not admit that they do not feel qualified for the jobs that they have for fear of being outcasts or again put on some sort of short list for getting in trouble. Which means eventually these things will compound and eventually something will break. We have seen the results. Look at what happened with United Airlines. 20:00 We all saw the film of this poor paying passenger being dragged off the plane with a broken nose, broken teeth, and a concussion. Right? And I feel for that crew. I do not blame the crew, because they work in a culture in which they fear making the right decision. They actually fear that they will get into trouble, They believe they will get in trouble for making the right decision. They actually fear getting in trouble more than doing the right thing. This was not an anomaly. This has been compounding over years. I had a personal experience on that airline years prior that was a red flag. I was attempting to board a plane and one of the passengers, this played out in front of me. One of the passengers attempted to board the plane before their group number was called. Which is all of you know here is a felony. And that is exactly how the gate agent treated him. "Step aside sir!" "I haven't called your group yet!" "Please step aside and wait till I call your group!" is how she talked to a paying customer. So I spoke up, I said, "Why do you have to talk to us that way? Why can't you talk to us like we are human beings?" And she looked me in the eye and said "Sir, if I don't follow the rules, I could get in trouble, or lose my job." What she revealed to me is that she does not feel safe in her own organization and her leaders do not trust her to use her own judgement and do not trust her to do the job for which she been trained to do. And guess who suffers? Customer and Company. 21:33 The reason we love flying South West Airlines is because not because they have some magical formula to hire the best people. It's because the people there feel safe in their own organization, they are entrusted to use their own judgement and do the jobs for which they have been trained to do. If you have an excess of bureaucracy in your organization and I have worked in the university system. and I feel for the people who abused me when I go get my ID. Because they fear getting in trouble more than using judgement. That is a cultural problem. I do not blame the person. Human beings are social animals and we respond to the environments we are in and ultimately it is the leadership that is responsible for setting the environment. Get the environment right you get trusting teams. Get the environment wrong you are forcing people to protect themselves from you. 22:25 If you work in an organization where it is standard practice for people to feel the need to send a CYA email after every decision they make. Cover Your Ass. That is a sign that they they feel that they have to take time and energy out of their day away from doing their jobs in order to protect themselves from you. If you work in an organization where it is standard practice for people to feel the need that they have to keep a folder of all the good things they have ever done. Just in case they need it. It is a sign that they feel that they have to take time and energy away from advancing the just cause in order to protect themselves from the organization. That's what you get. If they feel safe all of their energy goes to advancing the just cause, always.
Simon's best talk yet! He is the product of his own teachings, and this is why I especially admire him: walking his talk, every step of the way! This was put so simply, that it applies to every segment of our life. I work in a completely different industry, but still it applies to my life to the last bit! .....there goes another sleepless night, this talk just put my brain on over-drive :) (and it's 2 a.m. here) Thank you, Simon Sinek!
The simplicity and consistency of Simon's messages, backed by support of human biology, is what makes his message so powerful. And, I must say I agree with the hollowness of chasing the might dollar. We all need to work to bring his message to those with whom we have mutual trust.
I believe that we have great people as Simon who passionately working for a just cause. My prayers and blessings for him and all his loved ones. I also pray for many likes him be multiplied in our world today as is the need of the hour . Thank you and love and peace to all !
Simon, listened to several of your talks - very inspiring and thought provoking - love the just cause element and shortisham an eye opener to the world
In business, business owners see business as a finite game. There is a goal within a defined period of time. Whereas customers play the infinite game, they are collectively always bombarding the business with demands, problems, requests of which relatively few are effectively answered. Business needs to understand the individual customer to win each and every one, not just once, but at each and every interaction therefore the challenge is never ending and therefore the game is infinite. Business needs to play the infinite game to at least stay in the game and at best to learn and grow. Its about the experience and journey not about achieving the goal.
Not just the customers play an infinite game, the workers of the company do so as well. It's just that the business owners have the means to force a finite game on everyone - at the cost of everyone but (usually) themselves. _Businesses_ need to stay in the infinite game, but business _owners_ only need to "win" for a couple of decades (or even just years).
Many people in this world need both types of game, because each offers its own benefits & advantages to gamers. In each moment, gamers should be aware of which type of game, and why.
The 5 aspects of an infinite game: 1. A Just Cause: in what way are you showing people how awesome the world is? 2. Courageous Leadership: Be willing to take your medicine when you need it 3. Trusting Teams: There must be room for people's imperfections 4. A Worthy Rival: Finite games do still exist, so there is something to be said for competition. However, all finite games are contained within (at least one?) infinite game. Hence, although it is good to want to win against a rival in the context of those finite games because that is how we learn and improve, the overarching infinite game is to continue playing -- and to play a game, by definition, you must have other players or else it gets real boring real quick. 5. Flexible Playlist: have you ever played a fighting game against somebody who spams the same moves over and over? It works pretty well, until you figure out a way around what they're doing and suddenly they don't have any other tools to use against you. Do not be that guy, it is sad and boring and dumb.
@@jon8004 he credits sources of inspiration often. bringing it all together with his own experiences|observations and drawing parallels to build bridges | make the relevance more apparent|useful for audiences *and* build on it and share it (which I bet many authors+ would be thankful for with or without a mention) *is* 'his own insight.' his [attractiveness|confidence|healthy ego|authenticity] you seem to have resentment for might add to the reach of his work but does that call for criticism? at all? what would make you think so? check your spirit. Simon's message is for the benefit of all including you. i bet you have good to offer too if you look harder in the mirror. we're in this together bro. try it.💜
@@jon8004 looks like you didn't give it any thought. seems to me you lack empathy and the passion and altruistic intention behind his work are foreign|invisible to you. otherwise instead of calling him a salesman (although holding that position doesn't need to align with the common negative connotations) you would recognize he's putting himself out there in service. also you don't know what experience he has.. just like you don't know what experience I have. I've come to a lot of the same conclusions he has based on experience in the workplace+ and I'm thankful someone is in the position he's in with the skills he has to get those insights effectively communicated to people in position to positively transform systems. maybe consider the possibility that the ideas of others being shared came into his awareness second, after seeing problems and forming his own opinions and innovative ideas, and are being used to support and validate or lend more obvious | widely recognizable merit to his own assertions.
Many of the ideas in this talk are found in the book “Finite and Infinite Games: A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility” by James Carse. What do you do with the books you read? Readers are leaders.
me at first: I'll just watch 5 minutes of this me at the middle: how can he talk so passionately for so long and without fillers? me at the end: 25 minutes have passed and it's over so soon?
Sadly, it actually isn't. For one very simple reason - the organization/company/team may very well be fighting an infinite game, but the few people in charge are fighting a finite one, and they can force their rules onto the "game" long enough for _them_ personally to "win". The organization/company/team _may_ come out better as a side effect, but far too many come out worse if you look at the big picture. Conditions and/or motivation may be worse, or the whole thing might actually "die" (organizations and teams getting disbanded or just vanishing, companies getting sold or going bankrupt, ...) - the problem is that the ones making the decisions all too often don't share the fate of the organization/company/team, but get a huge reward in any case (it may be smaller if they "failed", but chances are it'll still have been beneficial to them - at "worst", they'll have had a good time; think of despots controlling countries for example).
Thanks Simon, I’ve been wrestling with this my entire life having a creative mindset. This helped my understand why I can get ahead regarding to other finite people standards (you should be at X). My mindset is creative, system, and others in the Infinite game. The companies I have worked for use the Finite mindset and methodology. I now have the knowledge to help position myself in the new infinite mindset of the future world we will be living in.
John Kosinski stay the course. It’s a constant battle with the various forces trying to pull us away from our true purpose, but you are in the right mindset.
As long as your getting all mathy what about the infinitesimal and approaching a limit. You know where you can only approach a limit of success. Among 7 billion people your more likely to be the infinitesimal that the infinite.
@@stupidtreehugger Good call Grammar is very important. The hamster wheel has stopped to kick off a few "freeloaders" and will be picking up more passengers for the fun and games of a circle jerk.
He may be getting a lot of money for his work but he does this work because of the just cause, not for money itself. In this case money is a byproduct of pursuing his just cause. He was criticising those who do the work for the money reward and not for the cause itself.
I generally agree with Mr. Sinek. In this video he said something that was only partially correct. When the Declaration of Independence was written and signed, many of those who signed it, truly believed in and desired for the concept of all men being created equal. Some even extended that to women.
Thank you for this video on Leadership : A good leader has to have Courage; a just cause, encouraging trusting teams with worthy rivalry, and a flexible playbook. Teaching effective Confrontation and Communication Skills by building strong foundations, Sacrificing Short term for a long term goal because it's the right thing to do, never sacrificing the people. That is having a purpose which one believes in, people driven rather than money driven, enhancing safety. Get the environment right, you get trusting teams.
_"Sacrificing Short term for a long term goal because it's the right thing to do"_ That's the problem - why should they? They only need to "win" a finite game for a couple of decades (or even just years) in order to "win" the whole game for themselves.
Very inspiring and thoughtful. It's a ashame that there organization companies, and so on do nothing due to their inability to see the greater good and do what is needed. This is why I would like there to be more people in this world who can see the potential in people and give them a chance in their organization.
Like all things Simon Sinek, the message is good, moral and well-intentioned. Simon has one of the most brilliant minds and the most appealing delivery BUT like all things Hollywood, product placement detracts from the main package being delivered. This UPS van, that is bringing life-saving food for thought, is flanked by stickers advertising Apple, South-West Airlines and the US Military. I understand that he does this for a living and that he needs to eat but his books and talks probably sell enough to do this without the extra that the product placement may bring (whether directly or indirectly). I believe in the message and am a fan of the man - not the not-so-subliminal endorsements. His message should stand in spite of organisations like these who can change these traits he speaks of and praises just because the market or demographic they are selling to changes priorities. I feel that focusing on the individuals with whom he interacted and the interaction itself would only add to the authenticity of the message he delivers so eloquently. That being said, congratulations on the book. May its lessons and writer endure and grow.
@@TheSkepticalIdealist don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of what Simon Sinek brings to this world. I use the words " product placement " because I have listened to, read and watched just about everything he has published, including interviews and talks published by others. These brands are mentioned in all if them. Some talks will mention 1 or 2 while others without failure will mention all 3. Simon Sinek builds minds and spirits with a message that can stand alone as a brand and way of thinking without the need for comparison or anecdotal support from brands which do not always practice what he is preaching. He mentions their best examples of behaviour but those don't always embody the core essence of these brands - yet they are brought up in all his publications written and verbal. I would follow his and anyone else's methods to make myself and environment better - in fact I have and still do - but my dismissal of the product placement is my pinch of salt.
@@fazelstephanus7770 did you ever stop and wonder maybe he uses them because they are readily understandable anecdotes because of their fame ... who doesn't know MLK or apple or the military. As any good orator does , he keeps his audience in mind. Don't get me wrong it could be this or any other reason but product placement ? That's kinda backhanded and shallow to be a reason ..
@@nobanshahid2534 nothing I said was backhanded. To an American those may be readily recognised but so are many other brands. These do not have a monopoly on the type of behaviour Simon Sinek promotes. Listen to the quote at 14:25 in this video. This is what I think is at play. His message is a good one and I support the message. Just questioning the marketing of the message. By the way, I don't recall mentioning MLK...
Ever heard Simon tell the story about the free bagels after the marathon? I've heard it in MULTIPLE speeches, as I'm sure you have as well if you've "watched just about everything he has published." But recycling that story has no clear branding connection. It's just a great story that illustrates one of his key points. Guys like Sinek are constantly giving speeches, interviews, writing articles, or producing short video clips for their social channels...they repeat themselves. A LOT. Simon Sinek is a mega-star in the keynote speaker/business book world. But when he gave his ground-breaking TED Talk in 2009, he wasn't well known. It's highly doubtful any of the brands you mentioned would have sponsored him. Yet he used them then, and continues to now.
Thank you so much, Simon Sinek! This is a great motivational video to inspire me and open my mind! Let's play the infinite game! I want to be the best version of myself!
best version of yourself means you are playing finite game there is no best when you play the infinite game only a better I am just saying this to make you awaew
The trusting teams and leadership definitely shook me. I realized the culture and working environment in my hospital definitely doesn't create a safe space for students. I don't know if it's always the case for hospitals, but there is always fear, humiliation in some sort with seniors, and if you speak out(for example I haven't got my vaccine yet , even if am doing rotations, or for example asking for more medical protection), then the system and people don't treat with leadership and normally creates more problems
Excellent talk...highly thought provoking.🙏 Hence, G7, G20, UNGA, UNSC have to be so structured & transformed, they have to be part of the 'Infinite Club' because the decisions these groups make impact millions of people around the world.🙏 Just cause is a broad thing - environmental protection, energy security, protection of ecological bio-diversity, basic necessities for all, good governance, basic minimum education for all, security & protection for all...agreed in UNGA, UNSC, G7 etc.🙏 These policy changes will only be brought about and implemented by visionaries and students, completely different set of people (with human & ecology welfare at heart) including those oriented to 'Infinite status'. 🙏 Hence to be introduced in the education system... which has become a rat race to provide current supply chain system 🙏 My humble opinion.... suggestions and comments are appreciated.🙏
Good compliments, you mention interesting battle analogy of infinite and finite interest in winners. All future awards are complicated in terms of winner and losser of Vientnam war. Moreover, no more compliments are easy unless we define finites of the Vietnam/United States war. I wouldlike learn to define competition and identify winners within finite/infinite scope? What books or journals should one read to simplify winers and lessor. I look forward to one strategy in the world of complicated compliments today. Thank you
And who will make the relevant decision? More to the point - why should those who make the relevant decisions play an infinite game? They only need to "win" a finite game for a couple of decades (or even just years) in order to "win" the whole game for themselves personally. Whether the company keeps going after that is irrelevant to them.
Money is simply fuel to make the "car" go. We don't own cars to buy more fuel. We own cars to go somewhere. It's the same thing in an organization. Your organization exists to advance something. The money is simply there to make it go. 24:13
This can be translated to relationship context between people playing a finite game (users, takers, players, manipulators, narcissists, etc. treating others as competitors) and people playing an infinite game (people looking for love, honest communication, mutual respect, growth, etc. and treating others as collaborators/partners.) The point about how unstable the system is when these two are paired with each other is perhaps the essence underpinning toxic relationships between a short-sighted abuser/deceiver and the person being abused who can't understand how someone could possibly treat them that way. I hope people with honest and pure intentions see this comment and realize that it's not a reflection of their value or not being worthy of being treated better. Rather, it's a dysfunction (usually empathy-deficiency) brought on by deep, deep insecurity of the user/taker/manipulator.
Apart from point 4, the concept of the infinite game revolves around a sustainable business culture something that is severely lacking in business, despite vast amount of resources that teach strong cultural values ...
There is this interesting dynamic of a successful visionary (Jobs) being followed up by his second man. But often the second man is somebody who's great at optimization, not a visionary. Most of the time the visionary needed this quality in the second man to become so successful, but could be the reason over time a company starts to fall behind. Apple is a great example, not only cause of Jobs, but of the obviously great optimalisation they have achieved after Jobs. The highest margins and what not. What's lost though is the vision. When was the last time we've watched a product launch cause it got us excited? All they do now, is the same as everyone else does. Optimizing products, making them a bit better.
20:25 I still think about that ( passengers boarding a plane ) story from time to time. Somehow as paying customers we become a link in the corporate tyranny. My cold hard cash ropes me into the world of her cold hard job.
The Infinite Game involves self Perfection. Your Adversary is yourself and that's a tough concept to yourself. The Finite Game is dependent on your Adversay.
A little about Your Vietnam War part of the speech. I am not so sure anymore that a war is in fact a realization of any kind of a game, no matter finite or infinite one. My current definition of the war is "exercising one's power to the fullest extent *without caring about any rules*", taking advantage of any recognized opportunities". That's in my opinion the main problem with the premise of the presentation. A war is more an art than any kind of somehow easily definable, rational human activity. And as such, it's doomed to fail any attempts of easy calculations and theoretical predictions. As to the latter part, I perfectly agree. However, knowing a little bit about the overwhelming corporate environment of today's world I'm a little sceptical about the prospect of your advises finding a way to substantially change the predetermined reality of its formalized structures.
Wouldn’t the majority of employees frustrated with outdated management be similar to finite game players (employees) vs infinite game players (mgmt), specifically when passed for promotions or when “overworked” due to spending their will and resources to meet/defeat the perceived defined rules and “win” that promotion but in actually being rules changed when mgmt decides to lay off employees or pass up internal promotions?
I got stuck on the guy who tried to get on the plane before his number was called. Why was the girl wrong who told him to wait until his number was called? Is order suddenly bad? I like order.
I've been getting flack for my comment here. Is there a way to tag Simon Sinek in this and maybe get his perspective. Could someone explain how one tags a user on UA-cam?
Watch more New York Times Events here. ua-cam.com/video/eQCy_o7e0nA/v-deo.html
1. Have a Just Cause
a. Why does my organization exist?
b. People would be willing to sacrifice to see the advancement of that cause.
c. It is a vision of the future that does not yet exist and you will commit all of your energies to advance that vision of the world that you have.
2. Have courageous leadership
a. Sacrifice the short term in order to advance the long term.
b. Be willing to say no to the money that's coming from a dirty source and rather say yes to the greater/higher vision.
3. Have a trusting teams
a. An environment in which people feel safe to raise their hand and say I made a mistake…(19:05)
b. Feeling same in our own organization, so the energies of the teams is in advancing the Just Cause.
4. Have a worthy rival
a. Your competition helps reveal to you your weaknesses.
b. If they are better at something, it means you have to work harder yourself.
c. Building strong foundations; looking long term.
5. Have a flexible playbook
Amazing talk, I wish he had time to elaborate on the last point...
Thanks
8:45 leaving this here so everytime it is liked I cam back to watch this
How to play an infinite game:
1. You have to have a just cause
2. You have to have courageous leadership
3. You have to have trusting teams
4. You have to have a worthy rival
5. You have to have a flexible playbook
Definitely worth watching the whole video to hear his reasoning behind the points.
TheITS where can I see the whole video?
@@thisdiff
This is the whole video.
His statement was for those that read the comments to determine if the video is worth watching.
@@thisdiff Here you can watch the entire video about his infinite game: ua-cam.com/video/3vX2iVIJMFQ/v-deo.html
There is no such thing as short cuts. Oh jesus I dont feel like it. Listen those are nice keynotes but the viewers would miss the rest of the core values about the infinite game. I get that with an article and some are lazy for information but its bloody video mate. Doing these in the comments are counterproductive and defeats the purpose of the video. But hey its majority and that's the Path they choose to be out bested.
Great to know! I thought you had to define a function on the power set of the naturals and also define a payoff set which determine the winning conditions. I also thought you had to study a lot of mathematics and logic, and not just look at a motivational video on YT. I think I am studying the wrong subject.
I will probably listen to this at least 10 more times this week. There are so many gems here, I don’t believe it’s possible for one to absorb all of the knowledge in a single casual listen. Who else is taking notes and listening to this on repeat?
Repetition is essential
will do
You are absolutely right
I am!!!
I came to the comment section to see if someone wrote down their notes because it's so good
Ted Koppel: We used to give people the news they needed whether they wanted it or not. Now we give people the news they want whether they need it or not. - Best quote of the speech. Thank you. 14:28
School shootings: Children Lacking good relationships - Human relationships are missing. 15:35
IOC International Olympic Committee - Just cause/Mission statement - Advance the world, make the world a better place through sport, but for the fact that they're all corrupt. It is a great idea. 16:37
We confuse rank and leadership. Rank has nothing to do with leadership. I know many people who sit at the highest levels of organizations who are not leaders. They have authority and we do as they tell us because they have authority over us, but we would not follow them. And yet I know many people who sit at lower ranks who have no authority and yet they have made a choice. The choice to look after the person to the left of them and the choice to look after the person to the right of them, and we would trust them and follow them anywhere. Leadership is the acceptance of the awesome responsibility to create an environment in which people can work at their natural best. The senior most people in an organization are not responsible for the results. They are just not. Leadership's responsibility is to care of the people who work in the organization and if they feel that someone has their back. They will commit all of their excess energy and time to take care of the customers and each other. If they do not feel that their backs are protected, that someone has their best interest in mind, that the organization it self is trying to them advance as human beings then they will do exactly what the culture provides for them to do. Which is they will protect themselves from you. 17:04
Trusting teams. 18:56 A Trusting team is an environment in which people feel safe to raise their hand and say I made a mistake, I don't feel qualified to do the job that you have asked me to do and I need more training, I need help I am struggling at home and it is effecting my work, I am scared. With out any fear of humiliation or retribution or punishment whatsoever. If you do not have trusting teams inside your organization. What you do have is a group of people who show up to work every single day, lying, hiding, and faking. You are forcing them to, it is not their fault. You are creating an environment which people will not share mistakes for fear that it puts them on some sort of short list or just getting in trouble. They will not admit that they do not feel qualified for the jobs that they have for fear of being outcasts or again put on some sort of short list for getting in trouble. Which means eventually these things will compound and eventually something will break. We have seen the results.
Look at what happened with United Airlines. 20:00 We all saw the film of this poor paying passenger being dragged off the plane with a broken nose, broken teeth, and a concussion. Right? And I feel for that crew. I do not blame the crew, because they work in a culture in which they fear making the right decision. They actually fear that they will get into trouble, They believe they will get in trouble for making the right decision. They actually fear getting in trouble more than doing the right thing. This was not an anomaly.
This has been compounding over years. I had a personal experience on that airline years prior that was a red flag. I was attempting to board a plane and one of the passengers, this played out in front of me. One of the passengers attempted to board the plane before their group number was called. Which is all of you know here is a felony. And that is exactly how the gate agent treated him. "Step aside sir!" "I haven't called your group yet!" "Please step aside and wait till I call your group!" is how she talked to a paying customer. So I spoke up, I said, "Why do you have to talk to us that way? Why can't you talk to us like we are human beings?" And she looked me in the eye and said "Sir, if I don't follow the rules, I could get in trouble, or lose my job." What she revealed to me is that she does not feel safe in her own organization and her leaders do not trust her to use her own judgement and do not trust her to do the job for which she been trained to do. And guess who suffers? Customer and Company.
21:33 The reason we love flying South West Airlines is because not because they have some magical formula to hire the best people. It's because the people there feel safe in their own organization, they are entrusted to use their own judgement and do the jobs for which they have been trained to do. If you have an excess of bureaucracy in your organization and I have worked in the university system. and I feel for the people who abused me when I go get my ID. Because they fear getting in trouble more than using judgement. That is a cultural problem. I do not blame the person. Human beings are social animals and we respond to the environments we are in and ultimately it is the leadership that is responsible for setting the environment. Get the environment right you get trusting teams. Get the environment wrong you are forcing people to protect themselves from you.
22:25 If you work in an organization where it is standard practice for people to feel the need to send a CYA email after every decision they make. Cover Your Ass. That is a sign that they they feel that they have to take time and energy out of their day away from doing their jobs in order to protect themselves from you. If you work in an organization where it is standard practice for people to feel the need that they have to keep a folder of all the good things they have ever done. Just in case they need it. It is a sign that they feel that they have to take time and energy away from advancing the just cause in order to protect themselves from the organization. That's what you get. If they feel safe all of their energy goes to advancing the just cause, always.
"The senior most people in an organization are not responsible for the results. " He didn't say that, and only a scumbag would
@@stupidtreehugger
Yes he did.
The statement begins exactly at 17:52.
Love this man.
His speeches, works in all aspects of your life.
Businesses and personal relationships.
This perspective is so helpful. Gonna really re-evaluate how I act when being treated poorly by people under the boot of authoritarian work culture.
Simon's best talk yet! He is the product of his own teachings, and this is why I especially admire him: walking his talk, every step of the way!
This was put so simply, that it applies to every segment of our life. I work in a completely different industry, but still it applies to my life to the last bit!
.....there goes another sleepless night, this talk just put my brain on over-drive :) (and it's 2 a.m. here) Thank you, Simon Sinek!
Speak sister🎉
The best talk and leadership theme gave by Simon so far. I am waiting in anticipation of the book!
Simon Sinek is a brilliant, intuitive and inspiring speaker!
Watching this after US's exit from Afghanistan is just profound.
The simplicity and consistency of Simon's messages, backed by support of human biology, is what makes his message so powerful. And, I must say I agree with the hollowness of chasing the might dollar. We all need to work to bring his message to those with whom we have mutual trust.
Simon sinek's definition of leadership is beautiful and usefull
I just love your idealism Simon because there is a level of sincerity in your words which I can feel & which is a very rare commodity these days.
I believe that we have great people as Simon who passionately working for a just cause. My prayers and blessings for him and all his loved ones. I also pray for many likes him be multiplied in our world today as is the need of the hour . Thank you and love and peace to all !
Simon, listened to several of your talks - very inspiring and thought provoking - love the just cause element and shortisham an eye opener to the world
In business, business owners see business as a finite game. There is a goal within a defined period of time. Whereas customers play the infinite game, they are collectively always bombarding the business with demands, problems, requests of which relatively few are effectively answered. Business needs to understand the individual customer to win each and every one, not just once, but at each and every interaction therefore the challenge is never ending and therefore the game is infinite. Business needs to play the infinite game to at least stay in the game and at best to learn and grow. Its about the experience and journey not about achieving the goal.
Not just the customers play an infinite game, the workers of the company do so as well. It's just that the business owners have the means to force a finite game on everyone - at the cost of everyone but (usually) themselves. _Businesses_ need to stay in the infinite game, but business _owners_ only need to "win" for a couple of decades (or even just years).
Many people in this world need both types of game, because each offers its own benefits & advantages to gamers. In each moment, gamers should be aware of which type of game, and why.
Hello Simon, I am a fan of your ideologies. The World needs more people who think like you do!
The world does but 🇺🇸 doesn’t
Oh, that passion! I could listen for hours 🙂
The 5 aspects of an infinite game:
1. A Just Cause: in what way are you showing people how awesome the world is?
2. Courageous Leadership: Be willing to take your medicine when you need it
3. Trusting Teams: There must be room for people's imperfections
4. A Worthy Rival: Finite games do still exist, so there is something to be said for competition. However, all finite games are contained within (at least one?) infinite game. Hence, although it is good to want to win against a rival in the context of those finite games because that is how we learn and improve, the overarching infinite game is to continue playing -- and to play a game, by definition, you must have other players or else it gets real boring real quick.
5. Flexible Playlist: have you ever played a fighting game against somebody who spams the same moves over and over? It works pretty well, until you figure out a way around what they're doing and suddenly they don't have any other tools to use against you. Do not be that guy, it is sad and boring and dumb.
Simply powerful and immensely impactful.
May be the best talk he has given so far, it's remarkable
@@jon8004 he credits sources of inspiration often. bringing it all together with his own experiences|observations and drawing parallels to build bridges | make the relevance more apparent|useful for audiences *and* build on it and share it (which I bet many authors+ would be thankful for with or without a mention) *is* 'his own insight.' his [attractiveness|confidence|healthy ego|authenticity] you seem to have resentment for might add to the reach of his work but does that call for criticism? at all? what would make you think so? check your spirit. Simon's message is for the benefit of all including you. i bet you have good to offer too if you look harder in the mirror. we're in this together bro. try it.💜
@@jon8004 looks like you didn't give it any thought. seems to me you lack empathy and the passion and altruistic intention behind his work are foreign|invisible to you. otherwise instead of calling him a salesman (although holding that position doesn't need to align with the common negative connotations) you would recognize he's putting himself out there in service. also you don't know what experience he has.. just like you don't know what experience I have. I've come to a lot of the same conclusions he has based on experience in the workplace+ and I'm thankful someone is in the position he's in with the skills he has to get those insights effectively communicated to people in position to positively transform systems. maybe consider the possibility that the ideas of others being shared came into his awareness second, after seeing problems and forming his own opinions and innovative ideas, and are being used to support and validate or lend more obvious | widely recognizable merit to his own assertions.
Many of the ideas in this talk are found in the book “Finite and Infinite Games: A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility” by James Carse. What do you do with the books you read? Readers are leaders.
This is the talk we need to give outside the organizations. For example - the Wall Street.
Jorden belford did it. Why not do it yourself?
The Master did it again!!!!Love you Simon
me at first: I'll just watch 5 minutes of this
me at the middle: how can he talk so passionately for so long and without fillers?
me at the end: 25 minutes have passed and it's over so soon?
He's well rehearsed.
i went through the this EXACT flow of thoughts. moving to the longer video now
Agreed!
He's obsessed and he has talked like this for years!
This talk is applicable for so many organizations, companies and teams. Simon is a really amazing thinker.
Not only for those areas but also applicable for all aspects of our life.
Sadly, it actually isn't. For one very simple reason - the organization/company/team may very well be fighting an infinite game, but the few people in charge are fighting a finite one, and they can force their rules onto the "game" long enough for _them_ personally to "win". The organization/company/team _may_ come out better as a side effect, but far too many come out worse if you look at the big picture. Conditions and/or motivation may be worse, or the whole thing might actually "die" (organizations and teams getting disbanded or just vanishing, companies getting sold or going bankrupt, ...) - the problem is that the ones making the decisions all too often don't share the fate of the organization/company/team, but get a huge reward in any case (it may be smaller if they "failed", but chances are it'll still have been beneficial to them - at "worst", they'll have had a good time; think of despots controlling countries for example).
It's a gem of 25 minutes of invaluable quotes and insights. Thank you Simon
I hate history back in school, but how he explains it makes me want more.
I love this talk, I will keep coming back to it for years to come
Thank you Simon. You articulated exactly what I have been observing. I'm encouraged.
Simply awesome....I am short of words to express such a wonderful expressions of leadership thro' concepts Infinite and finite games...
This is absolutely brilliant. Thank you.
Wow, the passion and righteous indignation - what a just cause!
Thanks Simon, I’ve been wrestling with this my entire life having a creative mindset. This helped my understand why I can get ahead regarding to other finite people standards (you should be at X). My mindset is creative, system, and others in the Infinite game. The companies I have worked for use the Finite mindset and methodology. I now have the knowledge to help position myself in the new infinite mindset of the future world we will be living in.
John Kosinski stay the course. It’s a constant battle with the various forces trying to pull us away from our true purpose, but you are in the right mindset.
@@goinfiniteworldwide1861 Keep ruining the rat race on the hamster wheel of success.
As long as your getting all mathy what about the infinitesimal and approaching a limit. You know where you can only approach a limit of success. Among 7 billion people your more likely to be the infinitesimal that the infinite.
@@kimobrien. , it's "you're" a shortening of you are
@@stupidtreehugger Good call Grammar is very important. The hamster wheel has stopped to kick off a few "freeloaders" and will be picking up more passengers for the fun and games of a circle jerk.
Boy! I love this man"s logic!
Simon, you did it again 👍
He may be getting a lot of money for his work but he does this work because of the just cause, not for money itself. In this case money is a byproduct of pursuing his just cause. He was criticising those who do the work for the money reward and not for the cause itself.
I generally agree with Mr. Sinek. In this video he said something that was only partially correct. When the Declaration of Independence was written and signed, many of those who signed it, truly believed in and desired for the concept of all men being created equal. Some even extended that to women.
Thank you Simon! Keep playing the infinite game!
Thank you for this video on Leadership : A good leader has to have Courage; a just cause, encouraging trusting teams with worthy rivalry, and a flexible playbook. Teaching effective Confrontation and Communication Skills by building strong foundations, Sacrificing Short term for a long term goal because it's the right thing to do, never sacrificing the people. That is having a purpose which one believes in, people driven rather than money driven, enhancing safety. Get the environment right, you get trusting teams.
_"Sacrificing Short term for a long term goal because it's the right thing to do"_
That's the problem - why should they? They only need to "win" a finite game for a couple of decades (or even just years) in order to "win" the whole game for themselves.
Very inspiring and thoughtful.
It's a ashame that there organization companies, and so on do nothing due to their inability to see the greater good and do what is needed.
This is why I would like there to be more people in this world who can see the potential in people and give them a chance in their organization.
Like all things Simon Sinek, the message is good, moral and well-intentioned. Simon has one of the most brilliant minds and the most appealing delivery BUT like all things Hollywood, product placement detracts from the main package being delivered.
This UPS van, that is bringing life-saving food for thought, is flanked by stickers advertising Apple, South-West Airlines and the US Military.
I understand that he does this for a living and that he needs to eat but his books and talks probably sell enough to do this without the extra that the product placement may bring (whether directly or indirectly).
I believe in the message and am a fan of the man - not the not-so-subliminal endorsements. His message should stand in spite of organisations like these who can change these traits he speaks of and praises just because the market or demographic they are selling to changes priorities.
I feel that focusing on the individuals with whom he interacted and the interaction itself would only add to the authenticity of the message he delivers so eloquently.
That being said, congratulations on the book. May its lessons and writer endure and grow.
how sad and cynical that you assume it's product placement rather than just an example
@@TheSkepticalIdealist don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of what Simon Sinek brings to this world. I use the words " product placement " because I have listened to, read and watched just about everything he has published, including interviews and talks published by others. These brands are mentioned in all if them. Some talks will mention 1 or 2 while others without failure will mention all 3.
Simon Sinek builds minds and spirits with a message that can stand alone as a brand and way of thinking without the need for comparison or anecdotal support from brands which do not always practice what he is preaching. He mentions their best examples of behaviour but those don't always embody the core essence of these brands - yet they are brought up in all his publications written and verbal.
I would follow his and anyone else's methods to make myself and environment better - in fact I have and still do - but my dismissal of the product placement is my pinch of salt.
@@fazelstephanus7770 did you ever stop and wonder maybe he uses them because they are readily understandable anecdotes because of their fame ... who doesn't know MLK or apple or the military. As any good orator does , he keeps his audience in mind. Don't get me wrong it could be this or any other reason but product placement ? That's kinda backhanded and shallow to be a reason ..
@@nobanshahid2534 nothing I said was backhanded.
To an American those may be readily recognised but so are many other brands. These do not have a monopoly on the type of behaviour Simon Sinek promotes.
Listen to the quote at 14:25 in this video. This is what I think is at play.
His message is a good one and I support the message. Just questioning the marketing of the message.
By the way, I don't recall mentioning MLK...
Ever heard Simon tell the story about the free bagels after the marathon? I've heard it in MULTIPLE speeches, as I'm sure you have as well if you've "watched just about everything he has published." But recycling that story has no clear branding connection. It's just a great story that illustrates one of his key points. Guys like Sinek are constantly giving speeches, interviews, writing articles, or producing short video clips for their social channels...they repeat themselves. A LOT.
Simon Sinek is a mega-star in the keynote speaker/business book world. But when he gave his ground-breaking TED Talk in 2009, he wasn't well known. It's highly doubtful any of the brands you mentioned would have sponsored him. Yet he used them then, and continues to now.
Thank you so much, Simon Sinek! This is a great motivational video to inspire me and open my mind! Let's play the infinite game! I want to be the best version of myself!
best version of yourself means you are playing finite game there is no best when you play the infinite game only a better I am just saying this to make you awaew
Should be required viewing by all owners of businesses and corporate managers.
10:01 The point he makes here is so relatable that it gives meaning to my choices
Advertising starting Salary or Big Bonus attracts people love big & bigger & ever-larger paychecks. So brilliant.
pulling knowledge out of knowledge is a language of knowledge...wow...this guy is deep
I am definitely taking notes. This was a brilliant talk
The trusting teams and leadership definitely shook me. I realized the culture and working environment in my hospital definitely doesn't create a safe space for students. I don't know if it's always the case for hospitals, but there is always fear, humiliation in some sort with seniors, and if you speak out(for example I haven't got my vaccine yet , even if am doing rotations, or for example asking for more medical protection), then the system and people don't treat with leadership and normally creates more problems
Excellent talk...highly thought provoking.🙏
Hence, G7, G20, UNGA, UNSC have to be so structured & transformed, they have to be part of the 'Infinite Club' because the decisions these groups make impact millions of people around the world.🙏
Just cause is a broad thing - environmental protection, energy security, protection of ecological bio-diversity, basic necessities for all, good governance, basic minimum education for all, security & protection for all...agreed in UNGA, UNSC, G7 etc.🙏
These policy changes will only be brought about and implemented by visionaries and students, completely different set of people (with human & ecology welfare at heart) including those oriented to 'Infinite status'. 🙏
Hence to be introduced in the education system... which has become a rat race to provide current supply chain system 🙏
My humble opinion.... suggestions and comments are appreciated.🙏
Brilliant advice! Wonderfully delivered! Count me as a team member.
The video just changed my philosophy on life
Thanks Simon, This is the best presentation I've seen on UA-cam for a long time :-) Kev.
“Finite and Infinite Games: A Vision of Life as Play and Possibility” by James Carse
Good compliments, you mention interesting battle analogy of infinite and finite interest in winners. All future awards are complicated in terms of winner and losser of Vientnam war. Moreover, no more compliments are easy unless we define finites of the Vietnam/United States war. I wouldlike learn to define competition and identify winners within finite/infinite scope? What books or journals should one read to simplify winers and lessor. I look forward to one strategy in the world of complicated compliments today. Thank you
This was a powerful talk!!
Absolutely incredible.
This should be shared with every business
And who will make the relevant decision? More to the point - why should those who make the relevant decisions play an infinite game? They only need to "win" a finite game for a couple of decades (or even just years) in order to "win" the whole game for themselves personally. Whether the company keeps going after that is irrelevant to them.
Was trying to think who he reminded me of, then I started rewatching "The Blacklist" - Hello Mr. Tom Keen
This was a powerful talk!!
This man is just awesome, valuable content.
Money is simply fuel to make the "car" go. We don't own cars to buy more fuel. We own cars to go somewhere. It's the same thing in an organization. Your organization exists to advance something. The money is simply there to make it go. 24:13
He knows how to call balls and strikes. Avid believer in his work.
Ones of the best ideas I have heard in my life :)
the pursuit of happyness is an infinite game
also the pursuit of correct spelling lol
Thank you from human kind!
I love his accent. It's English with an American overlay.
This can be translated to relationship context between people playing a finite game (users, takers, players, manipulators, narcissists, etc. treating others as competitors) and people playing an infinite game (people looking for love, honest communication, mutual respect, growth, etc. and treating others as collaborators/partners.)
The point about how unstable the system is when these two are paired with each other is perhaps the essence underpinning toxic relationships between a short-sighted abuser/deceiver and the person being abused who can't understand how someone could possibly treat them that way.
I hope people with honest and pure intentions see this comment and realize that it's not a reflection of their value or not being worthy of being treated better. Rather, it's a dysfunction (usually empathy-deficiency) brought on by deep, deep insecurity of the user/taker/manipulator.
Anyone knows Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam ? Our former president. He was also promoting same values as Simon . Sadly Everyone forget Dr Kalam's 2020 vision
Great concept.. very applicable in sales organizations.
I love his consciousness
A lasting peace that both sides can live with (the optimum point of victory)
This is so good
Can I apply this as an entrepreneur, and with relationships? If I can, how?
which side can a human life be from the two types of games you mentioned Mr.Simon? i`m Roman from Dar es salaam Tanzania
“Power resides where men believe it resides.” - Varys, Game of Thrones
Classic. Like Ricard Branson says, If you take care of your employees, the employees will take care of their customers.
This man needs to be President!
Apart from point 4, the concept of the infinite game revolves around a sustainable business culture something that is severely lacking in business, despite vast amount of resources that teach strong cultural values ...
We need Simon to present to our leadership team
Gratitude 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Great video! Also... "The New York Times" on the left side of the screen is missing the dot at the top of the i....
Brilliant, Simon!
how long ago did you speak at apple? 10/15 years ago?
esteban lopez Well he was talking about being handed a Zune, so yeah pretty much.
There is this interesting dynamic of a successful visionary (Jobs) being followed up by his second man. But often the second man is somebody who's great at optimization, not a visionary. Most of the time the visionary needed this quality in the second man to become so successful, but could be the reason over time a company starts to fall behind. Apple is a great example, not only cause of Jobs, but of the obviously great optimalisation they have achieved after Jobs. The highest margins and what not. What's lost though is the vision. When was the last time we've watched a product launch cause it got us excited? All they do now, is the same as everyone else does. Optimizing products, making them a bit better.
20:25 I still think about that ( passengers boarding a plane ) story from time to time. Somehow as paying customers we become a link in the corporate tyranny. My cold hard cash ropes me into the world of her cold hard job.
Happened in Iraq in 2021. Nice one
excellent, thank you!
The Infinite Game involves self Perfection. Your Adversary is yourself and that's a tough concept to yourself. The Finite Game is dependent on your Adversay.
This video is soo much better
Brillian talk to some or just telling idiots what they should know long time ago.
A little about Your Vietnam War part of the speech.
I am not so sure anymore that a war is in fact a realization of any kind of a game, no matter finite or infinite one. My current definition of the war is "exercising one's power to the fullest extent *without caring about any rules*", taking advantage of any recognized opportunities".
That's in my opinion the main problem with the premise of the presentation. A war is more an art than any kind of somehow easily definable, rational human activity. And as such, it's doomed to fail any attempts of easy calculations and theoretical predictions.
As to the latter part, I perfectly agree. However, knowing a little bit about the overwhelming corporate environment of today's world I'm a little sceptical about the prospect of your advises finding a way to substantially change the predetermined reality of its formalized structures.
not to be against somthng, but to stand for something
Someone has to organize a podcast with Simon Sinek, Jordan Peterson and Jocko Willink.
Is there ANY video where the flexible playbook part of the infinite game is explained?
Kevin Thomas jr. The book comes out later this year.
ua-cam.com/video/3vX2iVIJMFQ/v-deo.html
Thank You!
Straight to Facebook!
Thoughtful man. As always.
Wouldn’t the majority of employees frustrated with outdated management be similar to finite game players (employees) vs infinite game players (mgmt), specifically when passed for promotions or when “overworked” due to spending their will and resources to meet/defeat the perceived defined rules and “win” that promotion but in actually being rules changed when mgmt decides to lay off employees or pass up internal promotions?
One thumb up doesn’t do this leadership gold justice.
I got stuck on the guy who tried to get on the plane before his number was called. Why was the girl wrong who told him to wait until his number was called? Is order suddenly bad? I like order.
I've been getting flack for my comment here. Is there a way to tag Simon Sinek in this and maybe get his perspective.
Could someone explain how one tags a user on UA-cam?
Very interesting. Thank you !