Finite or infinite game? Play the right game.

Infinite Game Theory has taught us that in many instances we are actually playing the wrong game.

Game Theory is a relatively new concept and has not yet permeated our thinking in all areas. We are still programmed to win at all costs, but as Simon Sinek has helpfully pointed out, nobody wins at business, health, education or so many other areas of life because the game is not a finite game, but rather one that keeps on being played.

New players come and go and the parameters of the game continue to change. Game Theory acknowledges that there are finite and infinite games, which need to be treated differently.

Finite Games have:

• Known players

• Fixed rules

• Agreed upon objective.

Infinite Games have:

• Unknown players

• Changeable rules

• The objective is to stay in the game for as long as possible.

Those who reduce everything to finite games only, and have only one playbook are more likely to be frustrated and frustrate others. As mentioned, even if you manage to be the top of your game in business for a short time, it is unlikely to be the case in perpetuity.

Adopting an infinite game mindset helps develop a long term approach, as you seek to stay in the game for as long as possible. A collaborative approach, rather than a competitive approach is likely to see the benefits of perpetuating the playing field, adding value along the way. This is especially important when it comes to negotiations where there is the potential of increasing benefit in adding value, making the pie bigger as it were. Most likely the game is closer to an infinite game than a finite game than you think.

The popular song from Lin Manuel Miranda’s musical Hamilton, ‘The room where it happened’, alludes to Game Theory where the point of the song is that it is important to remain in the room where it happens. That is, stay in the game for as long as possible. The song itself holds many gems such as:

… ‘When you got skin in the game, you stay in the game. But you don't get a win unless you play in the game’ …..

With an ongoing tone on the importance of compromise, adding value and collaboration, the song holds many rich concepts worthy of further discussion. Finite game players are less likely to see the value of compromise or the benefits of collaboration. They are more likely to focus on winning small battles or skirmishes rather than taking a patient and humble approach which can see increased benefits for all parties.

We do need playbooks, and we need to be careful about breaking rules. Strategy, Mission and Purpose are important and we always need to keep our focus on the bigger picture. Simon Sinek’s focus on the importance of asking the why question is also relevant here. Dare I say if your strategy or mission is 'to be the biggest [insert field here]' it may be that you don’t really have a mission -which may lead to frustration as you stumble to find your purpose.

Take the time to draw up playbooks for the right game, nuanced to deal with the infinite games that most of us find ourselves in, with changing players, rules and even objectives. Have your Strategy, Mission and Purpose clearly defined, aware that you are most likely playing an infinite game where the playbook needs to have the strategic agility to adapt to changing environments.