Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. - Naval
Everyone is playing games. It’s in our DNA. The question isn’t if, but which. (The second question is if we even realize it).
Big companies have their own version of court politics of which I’m admittedly—and happily—unfamiliar. Startups naturally buck against those tendencies, yet the very bucking is in itself oftentimes part of their set of games.
The late night posts on Slack signaling the extra hours being put in (or faking it); the #humblebrag of exhaustion—and inevitable burnout; the fuck-the-man rally cries because it’s high time we become the man, dammit!
It’s not even that any of the underlying actions are necessarily wrong or ill-advised. After all, “a place for everything, everything in its place,” and “for everything there is a season” (bonus quotes! 🎉).
The goal is to make sure you’re not falling prey to whichever game is afoot. That you’re playing a strategic game instead of a stupid game.
If you’re unsure which you’re currently playing, just wait for the prize to tell you.
What’s This?
I’m a packrat when it comes to quotes. Every Tuesday I’ll send one out along with a quick blurb and related links to articles, podcasts, or videos.