Todd Henry – Daily Creative (podcast/essays hub)

Playing Different Games at the Same Table

The piece reveals that every employee— and the leader—optimizes for a personal goal such as stability, recognition, autonomy, craft, efficiency, income, comfort, or meaning. These divergent optimization targets create invisible tension that often masquerades as personality clashes or poor communication. Leaders shape the workplace by unconsciously rewarding the goals they themselves prioritize, which can amplify conflict. By naming their own drivers, uncovering those of their team, and discussing them openly, leaders can turn hidden friction into constructive, conscious tension.