The concept of infinite games is highly relevant to debates about short-term versus long-term business strategies. In an infinite game, like business, there is no definitive end or clear definition of winning. The objective is to keep playing, to stay in the game. This aligns more with long-term strategies, where the focus is on sustainability, resilience, and continuous improvement. Short-term strategies, on the other hand, often focus on specific, measurable outcomes, similar to finite games. However, in business, an overly short-term focus can be detrimental in the long run, as it may not account for the evolving nature of the market and the need for adaptability and resilience.

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There are finite games and infinite games in life. Finite games have a clear beginning, middle, and end. There are known players, fixed rules enforced by referees, and agreed-upon objectives. Think of football, for example. Infinite games, by contrast, are played by known and unknown players. There are no clear agreed-upon rules, and each player can change the way they play any time. Infinite games have no end or clear definition of what it means to "win". The objective is to keep playing. There is no winning in infinite games like friendship, marriage, or business. These are continuous journeys and not just one-off occasions.

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The Infinite Game

What’s the difference between leaders who only achieve short-term success and visionaries who create resilient and truly competitive organizations? Re...

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