The games professionals play

There I was, reading The Greatest Gamblers by Ruth Sheldon Knowles when this paragraph started the wheels spinning:

In explaining oilman E.W. Marland's passion for big-stakes poker, his biographer writes: “Every species of animal that defends itself, or depends upon the overtaking or destruction of others for food, must spend much time playing. The play of such animals is utilitarian, since in it they reenact the manner in which they defend themselves or the craft by which they take their prey. A cougar plays with a saddle blanket left by a pack outfit in the mountains, and the house cat attacks a dead mouse or a ball of yarn. Rabbits and squirrels, the hunted, play at chasing each other and taking refuge. Acquisitive men usually play those games wherein they seem to be keeping bright their power to remain in the struggle.”

H.L. Hunt acquired more wealth than any other oilman of his time. He was also one of the luckiest gamblers; one year he won a million dollars on racing bets. He wasn't afraid to place a bet on an untested oil field.

Indeed, Hunt once drilled a well based on a drilling contractors dream. The contractor dreamed that he and Hunt were at the well playing poker and the contractor won $500,000.

Hunt's green eyes sparkled, “Well, if you won that much money from me in a poker game there must be oil there.” He laughed. “We'll just drill it and see.”

No surprise to Hunt, the well hit big -- a 750 to one shot; a 15-million-barrel field.

As I glanced up from the pages I visualized the games that might help today's executive.

First, I though of Michael Strange's Serious Play. It's utilitarian play. It's necessary play. Yes, models and demos fuel innovation. What may be overlooked is that creating models keeps bright your power to stay in the game.

Then music -- and its patterns -- played in my head. You see, I play guitar, although not very well, to exercise the creative side of my brain. Melodies, chord riffs, and finger picking patterns work together to create a song from patterns. And since deep business smarts are based on patterns, those who play with patterns should have an easier time spotting business trends.

Hunt believed finding oil was largely a mater of luck; the more wells you drill, the more luck you'll have. People charged with discovering new ideas would do well to follow Hunt's example. Why? Because the more models you build, the more ideas you'll have.

It's a thought-provoking question, isn't it? What games do you play to sharpen your business skills?

Comments

[Jon Strande]

Steve,

Great post! I've heard that playing Tetris increases something or another in the brain, I play a game at least once or twice a week... now, if only I could find a way to bill my time for playing!!

Jon