Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority

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Office Etiquette: How to Be a Good Sport in the Office

31 Jan 2013 By: Diane Gottsman

With the Super Bowl just around the corner, your office mates will likely be either thrilled or a bit defeated, depending on how well their favorite team performs on Sunday.  In the spirit of sportsmanship, today’s post deals with rising above business failures, clearing the air and setting yourself up for a stronger finish next time. So, you failed to meet your quarterly sales quota or aren’t getting the recognition you’ve worked hard for in the office.  What’s a “team player” to do?

How to Be a Good Sport in the Office

  • Acknowledge the fumble.  Instead of acting as if you aren’t bothered by your shortcoming or the glaring error you just made, own it and make a recovery.  Let your boss know you are aware that your work on a particular project was not up to par and discuss specific ideas on how to outpace yourself next quarter.  Encourage feedback and ask for his or her suggestions on improving your skills.
  • Show good sportsmanship.  Don’t fall prey to taking your office mates down in order to make yourself look better.  If you haven’t read my post on jealousy in the office, now would be a great time to refer to the pointers shared.
  • Don’t miss a practice.  Instead of dreaming about your promotion or how good it would feel to see your name as the top salesperson, focus your efforts on taking steps everyday to make it one step closer to reality.  Arrive to work early, well-rested and ready to do your very best.
  • Find a good coach.  It’s far easier to reach your goals when you have a mentor or coach who has been there, helping you along the way.  There are many in your industry who would welcome the opportunity to groom you, if only you’d ask.
  • Hit the books.  With the abundance of resources available, spend a few minutes each day seeking out tools that would benefit your success.  That may mean subscribing to a free podcast, downloading a webinar, following professional blogs, or loading up your wishlist on Amazon with the most recommended business books and chipping away at it each month.
  • Keep yourself fueled. Take a look at how you spend your day. How are you fueling your body and your mind?  Up in the nick of time and getting to bed for a couple of hours of sleep impedes your performance. If you can’t keep up with your team mates and your daily routine, it’s time to reexamine your schedule. Feeding your mind with something as simple as signing up for an e-newsletter with tips from the best in your field is often enough to keep you motivated and inspired.  Or, subscribing to a few industry blogs with fresh tips and the latest research.  Even creating a Twitter list or following specific hashtags may give you a much-needed boost.

Speaking of the big game, if you’ll be hosting a Super Bowl party this weekend, refer to my Super Bowl Etiquette post.

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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.