In the world of corporate learning, it’s easy to get caught up in a finite game. We chase metrics like “attendees,” “engagement scores,” and “satisfaction ratings.” We aim to be the “best” training provider in the market, to “win” the next contract, or to “beat” the competition. But what happens after the workshop ends?
Surface-level engagement is a finite victory. It might look good on a report, but it doesn’t create lasting change. At Korelate, our Just Cause is to deliver learning interventions that create a profound, lasting impact rather than surface-level engagement.
This purpose is our north star. It’s the reason we don’t just “show up and teach.” It’s what guides us to play an Infinite Game—a game with no finish line, where the goal is to keep learning, evolving, and growing for the long term.
And as Simon Sinek explains in “The Infinite Game,” the way we play is defined by five key practices. This is how we live them, every day.
1. Our Open culture Creates a Trusting Environment
In a traditional, finite game, players hide their cards. They protect their weaknesses and only show their strengths. But for true learning and growth, this doesn’t work.
Our value of being Open is a commitment to building a Trusting Team. We create a psychological safe space where a client can admit they don’t know the answer, and a team member can share a mistake without fear of judgment.
Think of it this way: a team that hides its problems can’t solve them. A client that pretends to understand won’t truly learn. Our openness is not just a soft skill; it’s a strategic necessity. It’s what allows us to get to the real, impactful issues hiding beneath the surface. It’s the difference between a workshop where everyone nods politely and one where people have honest, breakthrough conversations.
2. Our “Worthy Rivals” Are Our Partners
In a finite game, competitors are opponents to be defeated. Their success is your loss. But in the infinite game of creating lasting impact, we have a different perspective.
We have managed to see our worthy rivals as our partners. We recognize that we are all in the same business: making people better. When a partner succeeds in an area where we are weak, we don’t get bitter; we get better. We study their methods, we learn from their insights, and we are inspired to elevate our own work.
This is the opposite of the Kodak story. Kodak saw digital photography as the enemy and failed to adapt. Instead, we see a partner’s success as an invitation to collaborate and co-elevate our entire industry. Because in the infinite game, the goal isn’t to be the only one standing—it’s to raise the bar for everyone.
3. Flexibility for Impact, Not Just a Plan
Every learning intervention has a plan. But a rigid plan is a finite-minded tool. It’s built for a perfect scenario that never exists.
For us, every workshop demands us to be flexible to the situation, which in turn enables us to be ready for bigger change. We show up with a clear purpose—our Just Cause—but with the willingness to abandon our planned approach in a single moment if a more impactful opportunity arises. This is our form of Existential Flexibility.
It’s the courage to put down the slide deck and lean into a difficult, unplanned conversation. It’s the willingness to pivot a whole session because the real issue in the room is not what was on the agenda. This flexibility isn’t about being unprepared; it’s about being prepared for the unpredictable truth of human interaction
4. The Courage to Lead, One Action at a Time
A finite game has a single leader who dictates the path to victory. But an infinite game requires a different kind of leadership.
At Korelate, we believe every individual is given the Courage to Lead and stand by it. Each of us is empowered with the ownership to make a decision, take an action, and be responsible for the outcome. That’s why our Reliability is a core value. We don’t wait for permission; we take the initiative because we know our actions are tied directly to our Just Cause.
This is the Barry-Wehmiller story in action. Just as Bob Chapman chose to stand by his people, each of us chooses to stand by our commitment to impact. We are reliable because we are not just doing a job; we are playing a meaningful role in an infinite game.
The shift from a finite to an infinite mindset is the difference between a successful quarter and a sustainable business. It’s the difference between a training session that’s quickly forgotten and a learning intervention that creates a legacy of change.
For us at Korelate, playing the Infinite Game is not just a philosophy; it’s our way of working. It is our promise to you, our clients, and our promise to ourselves.
By Glen Pinto
Facilitator & Co-Founder
Korelate Learning
Glen Pinto is the Co-Founder of Korelate Learning, where he combines the power of play and behavioral science to unlock human potential. With rich experience across facilitation, instructional design, and leadership development, Glen has partnered with leading organizations such as HUL, Google, Roche, and HSBC to create transformative learning experiences. Known for his warmth, creativity, and empathy, he designs and delivers workshops that drive collaboration, purpose, and real behavioral change.
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