“There are at least two kinds of games. One could be called finite; the other, infinite. A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.”

These are the first lines from the book, Finite and Infinite Games, by James P. Carse, published in 1986. Since introduced by Carse, the concept of Infinite Games has been explored by many, including by those in leadership.

Examples of Finite Games include nearly all sports, board games, card games, and many types of contests with mutually agreed rules governing the interaction, and a basis for “scoring.” Finite Games involve opposing players participating as individuals or as a group or team. A Finite Game is played until its predetermined ending. There are winners and losers, and rules for how players may or may not act. Finite Games are a closed competitive interaction in which the participant’s objective is to emerge as the winner on the basis of a pre-agreed scoring system.

“Infinite Game,” in my opinion, is a potentially confusing term for what is in fact a highly significant concept. Carse calls an Infinite Game “(a game) played for the purpose of continuing the play.” Carse and another writer, Simon Sinek, claim that business and politics are Infinite Games – open systems in which players leave and new ones join, in which players can learn from what’s going right or wrong and adapt their future play, and in which rules are not static, but evolve.

At first glance, competitions for research funding appear to be Finite Games. There are winners and losers in terms of having a proposal accepted and funded, or declined. Still, the process of getting funded is best approached as an important Infinite Game.

Consider how strategies from both Finite and Infinite Games affect the research funding process:

Finite Game Strategies

• Getting feedback on pre-proposal documents

• Addressing all evaluation criteria thoroughly in the proposal

• Compliance with all deadlines and requirements

• Applying strategy based on anticipated competition

• Addressing reviewer feedback in a resubmission

• And numerous others

With Finite Games, even if you do get a win, you’re starting over when you begin the next game. In contrast, Infinite Game strategies are ones that, while also supporting short-term objectives, take you far beyond that:

Infinite Game Strategies

• Moving forward with new research regardless of funding

• Starting new collaborations

• Maintaining relationships over time

• Sharing opportunities with others; bringing new people on the team

• Developing new skills

• Breaking boundaries / looking for new ways of doing things

• Embracing new tools and technologies

• Mentoring the next generation

• And numerous others

The good news is that Infinite Game activities are generally more appealing to PIs. Especially during times of upheaval like the one we are now facing, it is important to remember that one’s career is an Infinite Game. Yes, you still must master the Finite Game skills, but it is the Infinite Game ones that are equally or more critical. Proceed with those while we wait for the dust to settle. You’ll still be making progress.

Game on!

Collaborating with government scientists and engineers

The importance of collaborations to your research and career cannot be overstated. Based on a series of newsletters from last fall, I’m elaborating on this topic in videos. Check out the first one here.

When you are ready, here’s how we can help

Need to get your research funded, this year? Check out our 10-week program to get you there.

Ready to book a call to discuss our program or to have Dr. Barzyk provide training at your institution? Let’s chat!