Beyond the finish line (Part II)

By Yusuf Bulafu

(Inspired by the paradigm of finite and infinite games as articulated by James P. Carse)

Assalam alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh

Trusting Teams: Safety to Speak, Space to Grow

Infinite games are not won by the strongest individuals, but by the most cohesive teams. At the core of that cohesion is trust among teammates. Without trust, even the most competent people become a liability; with trust, even average individuals can build extraordinary impact.

One of the most striking illustrations of this truth comes from the U.S. Navy SEALs. When selecting members for their elite SEAL Team 6, widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated and elite special operations units in the world, they assess potential candidates across two axes: performance and trust. Performance refers to technical skill; how well one shoots, navigates, or executes missions. Trust refers to character; how reliable one is under pressure, how they treat teammates, whether they take responsibility for failure or blame others.

The most prized teammates were not those with the highest performance and low on trust. In fact, such individuals were often avoided, no matter how brilliant. SEAL Team 6 prefers candidates with moderate or even average performance, as long as they score high on trust. Why? Because in high-stakes situations, a lack of trust can cost lives. Competence without character creates instability.

This principle applies beyond the battlefield. The most successful companies, creative teams, and social movements thrive not because they have the best individuals, but because they have the safest environments. Psychological safety; the ability to speak up without fear of punishment, is what makes innovation and resilience possible.

In the tech world, Google’s Project Aristotle found that psychological safety was the number one factor distinguishing their highest-performing teams. In world-class startups, employees are trusted to experiment, fail, and improve. In vibrant communities, members feel they belong before they feel they must prove themselves.

Islam embodied this truth more than 1,400 years ago. The Prophet Muhammad built not just a following, but a brotherhood. He fostered an environment where the most diverse personalities; Abu Bakr’s calm, ‘Umar’s assertiveness, ‘Uthmān’s gentleness, and ‘Ali’s insight; could all be honoured and trusted.

Mistakes were never grounds for exclusion. When the companion Hātib ibn Abī Balta‘ah committed an error during the preparations for the conquest of Makkah – by sending a message to the Quraysh – the Prophet investigated, listened, and forgave. Hātib’s trustworthiness was not erased by his lapse. His past sacrifices, intentions, and sincerity were taken into account. Trust, in the prophetic model, was not perfection, it was relational, principled, and redemptive. Similarly, ‘Umar’s objection at Hudaybiyyah was not dismissed as rebellion. It was acknowledged as a concern arising from genuine love and commitment. The Prophet never silenced dissent out of insecurity. He made space for honest emotion, knowing that unity born of trust is stronger than conformity born of fear.

In Islam, Amanah (trust) is both a moral value and a social contract. It means safeguarding what others entrust you with; whether wealth, dignity, secrets, or leadership. It is why the Prophet ﷺ said, “There is no faith in one who cannot be trusted.” Trust, in this sense, is a pillar of faith, not a bonus of good manners. Moreover, the Qur’anic principle of shūrā (consultation) institutionalized trust as a decision-making ethic. When Allah says to the Prophet, “Consult with them in affairs,” (3:159) it is a divine endorsement of collaborative thinking, and a safeguard against tyranny.

A finite mindset selects teammates based solely on output. An infinite mindset selects those who will protect the mission; especially when things go wrong. The Prophet’s companions were not perfect soldiers; they were trusted brothers. They grew, cried, fell and rose together. And that is why, even after his passing, they carried the flame of Islam to continents he never visited.

A high-trust team doesn’t just survive. It endures, adapts, and multiplies. And in an infinite game, that’s what matters most.

To continued …