As he rounded third, he lowered his head and shoulders like a ram preparing to fight. Across the field, I watched as his teammates mouthed “No” and signaled stop with their arms. It was too late. The world around him ran together as his eyes edged up and looked forward, focusing on his target: home. He lowered his head further and his muscles stiffened as he prepared for impact, colliding like a wrecking ball with the catcher protecting home plate. The force of the blow threw the catcher back, causing his fingers to slip off the kickball his eyes had been tracking as it traveled from second base to home plate. Visibly surprised, my friend who had invited me to the game pivoted and chuckled, “Welcome to corporate-league kickball.” Kickball?! As I watched the players strut about and puffer like roosters, I wondered how their behavior on the field might bleed into workplace relations.
While I was, of course, bemused when I found out that the catcher was the account representative for a major account on which the bowling ball of a man who bowled him over was working, it made me wonder even more seriously: can animosity and competition on the field soil professional relationships? In my eyes, this proposition is one best left untested. TheWorkBuzz contributor, Debra Auerbach, might agree, conjecturing, “I have to imagine it would be a little weird playing dodge ball against your boss,” or perhaps, “I think you’d feel somewhat uncomfortable having to tell your human-resources manager that she’s losing the games for you and needs to hit the bench.” Ouch. Auerbach comes up with a few tips, which taken together, form a coherent guide to corporate extracurricular etiquette:
- “Dress conservatively.” Though this may be hard to do if you are dressing to play beach volleyball, remember: perceptions on the field help to inform perceptions off the field. “Avoid short-shorts or old cutoffs,” writes Auerbach, “they are great for a beach day with friends but not for being around those with whom you work.”
- “Play fair.” Nobody like a cheater, either at work, or in sports. More to Auerbach’s point, however, it is important that employees put on a brave face, and act like good sportsman at corporate athletic events—“maintain your composure,” says Auerbach.
- “Position picking.” Use sports as a means by which to showcase your professional and athletic dexterity, suggests Auerbach: “Sporting activities are a great way to showcase out-of-office skills.”
- “Cheer, don’t jeer.” “Pitcher, pitcher, you’re a belly…” Just don’t do it.
- “Have fun.” Off-site athletic events serve as a great way to get to know and build relationships with coworkers—have fun! Your behavior on the field should reflect your behavior off the field: “Be a good sport in the conference room and on the playing field.”
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