Simon Sinek probably needs no introduction to many people reading this post. But just in case, he is a TED Talk legend, five-time author, and leadership guru and consultant. Recently, he appeared in the video above with Holly Branson of Virgin to discuss the lessons contained in his new ground-breaking book The Infinite Game. I felt the insights were so profound I want to share them with you. Make sure you check out the entire interview.
The following are 22 Quotes and Lessons from Simon Sinek’s new book The Infinite Game and his interview with Holly Branson:
- “As for us those who choose to embrace the infinite mindset, our journey is one that will lead us to feel inspired every morning, safe when we are work, and fulfilled at the end of each day. And when it’s time to leave the game we will look back at our lives and our careers and say, “I lived a life worth living and important when imaging what the future holds, we will see how many people we’ve inspired to carry on the journey without us.”
- In 1986, a philosopher named James Cares, introduced the concept of two types of games – finite games and infinite games.
- Finite games have a winner and loser.
- Infinite games have no finish line and the goal is to keep the game going as long as possible.
- You cannot be number one in your marriage. You can be number two but you can’t be number one.
- How can you be the best in a game which has no finish line.
- In finite games, there is a decline of trust, cooperation, and innovation.
- We have to recognize what type of game we’re playing and then play with the right mindset of the game we are in.
- Infinite game people believe in something bigger than themselves.
- We have a leadership crisis in the world.
- We live in a world where it is not enough to win, someone else must also lose.
- We get the leadership we deserve. We’re the ones not listening to the other side or alternative opinions.
- Pillar #1 – Find A Just Cause. “Why” is the past. “A Just Cause” is the future.
- “A cause so just we would willing to sacrifice our interest for this vision for the world.” We will never get there. It is an idealized state. Leaders are the best way to get there.
- This is why we see young people change jobs so frequently is because they realize it’s a lot of words and a lot less action.
- A “Why” is fixed to us but you get to pick your “Just Cause”.
- Only a small percentage of the population are visionaries. We don’t have to come up with a vision. We have to find one.
- We’re not the only ones building towards the idealized state.
- A Chief Executive Officer is actually a Chief Vision Officer, someone who is responsible for setting and articulating and ensuring the organization is heading in one direction and then hiring the people and giving them direction beyond the short term.
- Leadership is a learnable skill.
- The visionary has capacity for imagination, creativity, and what is not tangible.
- Visionaries, the truly infinite minded, need the finite minded or nothing’s going to work. Vision without execution is hallucination. You’ve got to get stuff done.
What is one thing you learned from the quotes above which will help you become a better leader? Also, if you have not purchased your copy of The Infinite Game as of yet, you can do so by clicking HERE.
My book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices Of Apex Leaders is available for purchase. If you have ever wanted to become the leader God created you to be, this book is for you! By combining leadership lessons from biblical heroes like Jesus, Daniel and Joseph, along with modern day leaders like Bill Gates, Nick Saban, Kobe Bryant and multiple pastors, Timeless will equip and inspire you. This book is not to be read alone. Discussion questions are included in each chapter allowing you to develop those in your circle of influence. Click HERE or on the image provided and order your copies TODAY.