Good sportsmanship encompasses many aspects of a person’s character. Being a good sport has a lot to do with respect. A good sport respects their teammates and their opponents as equals. A good sport is humble in their victories and maintains a proper attitude when they suffer losses.
There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who realize fantasy football is just a game and those who don’t. Fantasy sports seem to bring out the best and worst in people. And for a few months out of the year, coworkers, friends, and even families can be divided by outcomes of their fantasy league.
It’s sad, but it’s true. Relationships are torn by the digitally calculated outcomes of fictitious matchups. As you might expect, such a thing can be truly damaging in the workplace. Coworkers engaged in fantasy league disputes can bring down the morale of other participants. The display of poor sportsmanship by either the winner or the loser can ignite damaging arguments and leave coworkers with a bad impression of the pot stirrers.
Building a Successful Team
The concept of sportsmanship applies to more than just fantasy sports in the workplace. What about those situations where a successful employee becomes cocky and overzealous of a recent achievement? Has a team building exercise ever gotten out of hand to the point that instead of working together, your employees are screaming at each other?
At Levy Marketing + Awards, it is important to our workplace culture that each employee is a team player. Understanding the value each person brings to the table is how we create the bigger picture for our organization. Our team is the foundation of our business. Our team ethics are accountable for the success and smooth running of the organization. Each employee makes effort to work well with one and other. Building a strong team that relies on each other’s strengths and weaknesses reduces any problems that can arise, such as missed deadlines and conflict within the workplace.
Just like in sports, a successful team is one that works together to celebrate a common goal. Teams learn from their mistakes, acknowledge where one and other can improve, and build each other up to make those improvements. The greater good of the team is achieved when everyone plays their part without letting little riffs and disagreements take away from the team’s vision.
Lose with Grace
If fantasy sports teach us anything, it’s about losing. In any game, there are winners and losers. In the workplace, winning may come in the form of closing a huge deal or making a big sale. Losing could be missing the target on a presentation or writing a document that requires several rounds of edits before it’s finished.
Even in the corporate landscape, the feelings associated with winning and losing remain the same. But, that doesn’t mean emotions should rule your actions. Frustration and disappointment can sometimes get in the way of seeing the bigger picture. Being a good sport means keeping things in perspective.
It’s important to keep in mind that challenges can be overcome if everyone is working hard and supporting each other. When you fall, it helps to know that a team of coworkers is there to help you get back up and get back on track.
On the other side of the coin, winning can also bring out strong emotions in people. Again, keep things in perspective. Whether you are playing a game, closing a huge sale, or participating in a teamwork activity at the office, winning with class is everything. Don’t gloat or put down others. Let your performance speak for itself and accept any for of recognition humbly.
Minimize Negative Talk
At Levy Marketing + Awards, playing fantasy sports has taught us the value of both winning and losing. We have learned to appreciate the little wins and celebrate the big victories. While fantasy football is not a team activity, those participating in the league are learning that no amount of trash talk will improve their chances of winning. Those of us eating humble pie in week three, are taking the L with our heads up and our mouths closed (unless it is to apologize to our opponent for things we might have said earlier in the week).
Week Three Standings
Rank | Team Name | Team Owner | Wins | Losses | Points For/Against |
1 | #CrystalUp | Brian | 3 | 0 | 424.50/365.70 |
2 | Trophy Thief | Michael | 3 | 0 | 387.72/332.36 |
3 | Glorious | Nicole | 2 | 1 | 377.04/364.96 |
4 | Birdy’s Bruisers | Jay | 2 | 1 | 370.12/361.76 |
5 | Erica’s Team | Erica | 1 | 2 | 416.16/461.26 |
6 | Gary’s Genius Teams | Gary | 1 | 2 | 409.78/447.70 |
7 | Edgar Allan’s Bros | Anita | 1 | 2 | 384.38/373.32 |
8 | *G$$$Markers | Greg | 1 | 2 | 365.20/385.86 |
9 | 7/12th’s of a Team | Mike | 1 | 2 | 338.20/346.70 |
10 | Mamaz MadBoyz | Tina | 0 | 3 | 341.50/374.98 |
* Notes the 2017 Levy League Champion
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#1 Levy League Update: Kicking Off the Season