The Infinite Game in Law
What does it mean to play a finite game vs an infinite game in the legal profession?
I’ve been reflecting on this question ever since reading The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek.
In the legal world, a finite game could mean hitting a certain number of billable hours per month, chasing a prestigious award nomination or earning that coveted promotion.
But what happens after we get there?
For me, the reward is often short-lived. Once these finite goals are met, the feeling fades quickly. Then we are onto our next finite goal. It feels like we’re constantly in a rat race.
An infinite game, however, is much broader in scope. It is about viewing our work from a long-term lens where there is no defined endpoint. In a hockey game, there is a clear start or end to the game - three periods, 20 minutes each, the team with the most goals will win.
In an infinite game, there is no defined start or end - only ahead and behind. Of course, trying to figure our infinite game, of course, varies for each person. It can be difficult especially if we are brought up in a system where finite goals are rewarded or even expected.
Get a high LSAT score
Do well in law school
Land a prestigious job
Bill X hours per year
Reach partnership
Blissful happiness…?
For a select few, pursuing law is a means to an end. The money that we make from our legal jobs fuels our other purposes in life. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this approach. If anything, this can be a healthy approach.
But what if we approach our work with an infinite mindset and play the infinite game? What if there was no “defined” end goal, but our work is conducted with a larger cause in mind?
For those who work in immigration, the infinite game is about bringing uniting families together and giving them an opportunity to pursue a better life. There is no real “end” point because the underlying purpose has no defined start or end.
For those who work in employment, it could be about striving to protect “the little guy” and ensuring equity and fairness in the workplace.
For those who work with start-ups, it could be about helping founders navigate the legal system and helping them reach their company (and personal) goals.
Sometimes, when we chase our finite goals based on what is the most “prestigious”, we lose the potential for a larger, more fulfilling cause.
There is no perfect answer. Your infinite goal will require inner soul-searching.
What I do know that if we pursue finite goals in our day-to-day work, it will take us down a path that we never wanted in the first place.
By Steven Ngo
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