What is Playmaking?

On a rerun of The West Wing last night, there was an exchange that cut to the heart of playmaking. The President had just expertly navigated through what could have been a significant military conflict in Asia. Having put out today's fire, the President sat down with his Deputy Communications Director, Sam, for a game of chess:

Sam: I don’t know how you…I don’t know the word…I...I don’t know how you do it.

President Bartlett: You have a lot of help. You listen to everybody. Then you call the play.