YOUTUBE CxqkpHOkwLo Presented by Simon Sinek at the World Government Summit in 2022.
5 things to lead in an infinite game: a just cause, trusting teams, a worthy rival, capacity for existential flexibility, and the courage to lead.
#1 A just cause
A cause so just that we'd sacrifice our interests to satisfy that cause. That could mean taking a job for less money. When we believe in the work we're doing we turn down the better salary to do something we believe in.
Working late hours. Taking business trips to be away from their families.
Apple's just cause was about standing up to big brother, and people who believe in that cause are attracted working at Apple.
In some places, managers look to see if you're doing something wrong. Making sure you make your numbers.
#2 Trusting teams
Throughout the day, managers ask you what he needs to do your job better. Only when this happens, do you feel like you can be yourself.
What environment needs to be created so that people work at their natural best? So they can admit when a mistake is made? Or when there's trouble at home that's affecting work? Or when promotion means you need more training? Or I need help? Or I'm scared?
Leadership is not about taking charge, it's about taking care of people in our charge. People will then solve the problems that they're there to solve.
#3 A worthy rival
Simon's rival he introduced with "You make me very insecure. All of your strengths, are all of my weaknesses. And when your name comes up, it makes me feel uncomfortable". He replies with "Funny, I feel the same way about you".
A worthy rival is an opponent who is as good or better than us at our own work. Their existence shows us where we need to improve.
Competition is about winning, but rivalry is about advancing. It's better to wish a rival good luck and get stronger and stronger and stronger.
Who is your worthy rival? Who pushes you to be better than yourself?
#4 Capacity for existential flexibility
The ability to make a profoundly different strategic shift because we find a better way to advance our cause.
To the outside world, it'll look like you're crazy. But the person in the cause they see the risk as being staying on the path that they're on. Changing what you're doing is the much slower risk.
Kodak is an example of a company that didn't do this well. They lived on their patients till those ran out, then they failed.
#5 Have the courage to lead
To be cause driven when the pressures on us are short term is really hard.
Leave things better than how you found them. Be a better friend to others because we were in their lives.