I Prefer to Work with People Who Played Team Sports

by Brian Lee. (Visited 4100 times) (21 comments) :: Print This Post
Posted: December 10th, 2007 under Observations, Society.

The Realization

A few years ago, I came to the realization that just about all of my close friends and everyone that I really “clicked” with in the professional world had played some form of team sports when they were a kid. They all weren’t necessarily stand-outs, but they had at least played on a team at one time or another.

It’s not like I ask people what sport they played before deciding if I can be friends with them or not; I’ve just identified an interesting tendency that’s pretty reliable.

Thanks to My Parents

I’ve also become much more appreciative that my parents pushed me to play sports when I was kid. I remember a few times that I resisted; but today, I can’t think of another activity that did so much to prepare me for life.

There’s just something about people who played team sports when they were young… To put it simply, they just “get” it. They’re competitive, yet able to work with other people. They know how to work hard, and they know how to play hard.

Psychologically, they’ve developed the ability from a young age to put aside their personal comfort for the good of the group. This is such a hard quality to find in people in today’s self-centered society. Most people want everything handed to them, but I’d rather work with someone who understands that they have to earn their status.

A Hollywood Example

Here’s a decent example: in Hollywood, everyone starts out as a PA. PA stands for “Production Assistant,” which is a generic term for an entry-level gopher job. The entertainment is a largely closed-off community and the only way in is through the bottom.

PAs get worked. They’re usually forced to put in 12-16 hour days for just about no money. Their existence is often reduced to degrading work such as fetching coffee or picking up dry-cleaning for the producers. It’s tough work, but PAs get exposure to the inner-workings of entertainment production and tend to be the first in line for higher-level jobs in the future.

How to Get Past PA

To make it past PA and get hired for a better job, you have to: 1. have the ability to suspend your ego and 2. have a ferocious work ethic; two qualities that are in short supply in today’s world.

Many people can’t lower themselves to get coffee for someone else. They feel entitled to a certain level of status. They are concerned with upholding their reputation.

Work ethic is a whole other story. The human body is capable of working many times harder than the brain realizes. Most people stop at the first sign of pain, but they could go much further if they had developed any toughness.

Pushing the Limits

Pushing the body past previous limits causes growth. Muscles of the body and mind rebuild stronger, with higher limits. Legally, your boss can’t force you to work until you’re in pain; but those that do are definitely going to stand out.

Playing team sports lays the foundation for humility and work ethic. These two qualities are tough to acquire at an older age. You can’t just put someone in a seminar and expect them to come out a productive team-player. It’s woven into the fabric of your being.

The Best Way I Know

The best way I know to instill this ethic is to play team sports. That’s not to say that it can’t be learned any other way. I’m sure growing up on a farm or being forced to run the family drugstore at 12 years old might do the trick. I just haven’t run across anyone who “gets it” without having played team sports as a kid.

Am I wrong?

Jim Cramer

I heard Jim Cramer say once on his TV show that when he worked at Goldman Sachs, he only hired people that had played team sports. Apparently, he felt so strongly about the connection between playing team sports and work ethic that he wouldn’t even take a chance on someone who didn’t.

I can see why he had that policy. Just because someone didn’t play team sports doesn’t mean that they don’t have the right work ethic; it just means the chances are a lot less. A numbers guy is going to go with the odds that work in his favor.

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Genius Comments

Comment from Saving Freak
Time: December 10, 2007, 5:41 am

I have met a few people who did not play team sports that “get it,” one of them is my wife. But, you are correct in that your odds are so much better. When ever I have interviewed someone I ask if they played team sports. To me, it is one of the most important question in an interview.

Comment from FinanceAndFat
Time: December 10, 2007, 7:15 am

I never really thought about this before, but I can see how that makes sense. Most of the best memories from my junior high and high school days come from my time on the basketball team. But does that experience help me if my boss and other co-workers don’t have that experience? Maybe I don’t fit in.

Comment from michael brito
Time: December 10, 2007, 9:40 am

i played just about every team sport growing up and i feel that because of that i was able to develop long lasting relationships with people, but did it improve on my work ethic? probably not.

actually i did have a good work ethic until i realized that it really wasn’t worth it (exception if you work for yourself). the harder i worked the better my boss looked. screw that. i rather do enough work to keep me employed. that way i’m not busting my ass for some jerk off to steal all the glory.

peace!

Comment from Colin
Time: December 10, 2007, 8:20 pm

I definitely respect team sports and the values that they can instill into those who participate, but I question the correlation here.

What about those volunteered their time to charitable or community organizations but not sports? Or those who spent their time rigorously pursuing an academic goal?

Personally I found that many of the bullies and egos at school were also those who were heavily active in sports. There are other barriers as well that would make me question this; like the fact that sports requires money for equipment, transportation, etc that some don’t have. How does this criteria account for those with disabilities?

I guess my concern is that it is easy for people to gravitate toward those that are most like them. It seems tougher to look for the virtues that we do not have than to surround ourselves with others like us.

Comment from Randy
Time: December 11, 2007, 6:02 am

Curious as to what academic research shows regarding the correlation between team sports and work ethic. Is there really a strong relationship? Or do bosses just tend to hire those that have similar styles, personalities, and goals? I work in a hospital (a nurse) and probably most of the other nurses have never played team sports, yet work ethic and team work are high (it has to be to keep people safe). I guess it is influenced by the field/industry you are in.

BTW, your t-shirt store looks awesome. Did you code it yourself? Would like to see a post about it.
-RY

Comment from Brian Lee
Time: December 11, 2007, 8:42 am

There’s nothing scientific about this post, it’s just an observation. It may not be true for other people, but it’s a recurring theme in my life.

Do people hire others who are like themselves? Absolutely. People want to want to work with others who have similar work styles and attitudes. Maybe there’s a whole group of offices that tend not to hire sports people because their styles don’t mesh.

I’m not saying that having played team sports is the only way to build these traits; it’s just the way that I am most familiar with. Some will even argue that work ethic and being a team player aren’t as important as I think; but that is the school of thought that I have seen be successful.

I expected this article to be a tough sell, and that’s showing to be true. Some people who didn’t play team sports as a kid are going to take offense.

Thanks for the stimulating discussion.

Comment from Brian Lee
Time: December 11, 2007, 8:44 am

Thanks for the kind words about SportsTypes, Randy. I had a little help from a template, but I still put a lot of mental sweat into it. We’re concentrating on building a sales base and I plan on writing a detailed article about it after several months of experience.

Comment from Stephen Hopson–Adversity University
Time: December 11, 2007, 1:02 pm

Brian:

I’ve never heard of this philosophy before so it was with great interest and concentration that I read this article. I’ve been a silent fan of yours for a while but today’s post prompted me to speak up and say something.

As a kid, I was never really an athlete except for being on the swim team (4 years in high school and 3 years in college). I never considered myself as one of those sports minded people so anytime I interviewed someone or hired them for a project, it never occurred to me to make that kind of connection.

So while there’s not a lot of new things under the sun these days, this philosophy and/or way of thinking is certainly new to me! Thanks for a thought provoking article.

Comment from sara
Time: December 11, 2007, 5:07 pm

I think eliminating people who didn’t play team sports is short sighted. I am a total klutz, was always the slowest kid, the last picked for any team. Always got clobbered in the face in dodge ball. Usually broke one pair of glasses per year due to collisons. To this day I can’t run fast, jump, throw a ball with any accuacy, hit a ball with any kind of object Which meant that team sports were, and are completely unrealistic for me to be involved in.

I happen to have one of the strongest work ethics of anyone I know, and am as tough as they come. I’ve survived a major illness that nearly killed me (but didn’t thanks to major surgery).

I’d be pissed if someone decided that I wasn’t a good enough to risk hiring simply because I don’t have the physical ability to play team sports.

Comment from gale
Time: December 11, 2007, 5:33 pm

although my mom signed me up for many sports i consider random now, i appreciate what those sports have helped mold me into. i took everything from roller hockey and swimming to badminton, and i must admit that those seemingly random sports not only helped me appreciate teamwork, but provided a strong memorable basis for my childhood. and in high school, track and field really helped me grow. great job for another awesome post brian!

Comment from NatalieMac
Time: December 11, 2007, 7:36 pm

I think that there are many different types of team and group activities that help to reinforce the qualities and experiences that you’re looking for. It’s not just team sport. By limiting your criteria to team sports, you’re leaving out a lot of people who participated in other types of non-athletic team activities would would have just as strong a work ethic and team spirit.

Comment from Lisa
Time: December 12, 2007, 8:45 am

Brian - based on what do you make this claim?

The **best** way I know to instill this ethic is to play team sports.

I’d buy that it is one way - but what makes you think it is the best? What other methods are you comparing it to?

You also say:

These two qualities are tough to acquire at an older age.

Based on what? Why are these 2 qualities different than others? Or are all personality traits tough to acquire at an older age?

If so are there qualities that you fail to develop as a result of playing team sports that put such people at a disadvantage in society?

Comment from Seeker
Time: December 12, 2007, 11:03 pm

Brian, Great Article. Not only does sport build character, also sport is one of the finer pleasures in life. I feel so happy when I meet someone passionate about sports because that passion reflects their zest for life.

———————————–
My Positivity Blog http://positivityhub.com/

Comment from Brian Lee
Time: December 12, 2007, 11:54 pm

Great discussion everyone. There’s obviously more of you who disagree with me than agree, but at least it’s sparked an intelligent debate.

Just to be clear. I’m not making any claims with this article; these are just my opinions. Are playing sports the best way to learn these qualities? I don’t know. It’s the best way I know of, but that doesn’t make it the only way.

I do know that learning gets harder as you age. Have you ever heard the expression “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” Recent science has shown that it’s not entirely true. You can still generate new brain cells at older ages if you use it, but overall, your brain is much more geared for learning as a child. This means that it’s still quite possible to change, but less likely.

Thanks for all your input.

Comment from Thom
Time: December 17, 2007, 10:31 am

I’ve done literally thousands of interviews in my professional career. Team sports and/or military experience has always been important to me and I think Brian has probably hit the nail on the head here. They get it, generally. I think the characteristic we (hiring managers) look for is someone who will selflessly serve my needs and the needs of the company. That shouldn’t be a shocker for anyone ESPECIALLY anyone who has or does own their own business. And as employees, we should all be willing to do that. The problem comes when we HAVE to work to keep up with our debt additction.

One of the reasons I love Brian’s blog is because he gets it. It’s not about what your employer will do for you, but what you will do for yourself, and when you realize that doing what your employer wants IS working for yourself, well you’ve just doubled your value to the company…and yourself.

Add to that little slice of heaven the freedom that comes from being able to choose your employer rather than hoping anyone who interviews you will offer you a job and you have the perfect recipe for joy.

Am I there yet? No, not yet. But at least I get it now.

- Thom

Comment from Brian Lee
Time: December 17, 2007, 11:00 am

Thom,

You took the words out of my mouth. It hit me over the weekend that military experience would be another fantastic way to learn the team mentality. Thanks for adding your take.

Comment from Tim Shay
Time: December 26, 2007, 7:09 pm

Hi,
I am really enjoying your blog and learning a lot from it. I just wanted to interject have been on sports teams and a musician in high school that dynamic that you are talking about takes place in both worlds. A string section, or a chorus member “breaths” phrasing together and performs with precision as much as any team environment. Although there are soloist in music and show boaters in sports as well the potential to be a great team player is evident if you are committed to excellence.

Take care,
T.S

Pingback from The 5 Levels of Leadership | The Wisdom Journal
Time: January 2, 2008, 10:04 am

[…] prefer to work with and for those who have played team sports. You can access Brian’s article here. One warning though: staying at this level for too long will result in restlessness among highly […]

Comment from Jason Harrington
Time: January 3, 2008, 5:40 pm

I agree wholeheartedly with you here. As a kid I was always involved with some sport or another, and while I didn’t always give each one my full and undivided attention, the exercises and experiences have stuck with me to this day.

Being involved in teamwork early on is great priming for the real world, especially the corporate aspect of the real world. The mental framework you develop with respect to practice, consistency and reliability is priceless in business and in life.

Thoughtful post, and great observation.

Comment from Jen
Time: June 17, 2008, 1:33 pm

Just found this article - and I have to agree 100 percent with Sara’s comments above. Not everyone is physically cut out for team sports, so it is a very unfair judging criterion for hiring decisions. This criterion also has the effect of discriminating against women because fewer females participate in team sports. Basically, the “team sports” mentality serves, intentionally, or accidentally, to perpetuate the old boy/jock network.

People can and do learn excellent teamwork in many other ways. Assuming that sports is the only reliable measure is very wrong and short-sighted, and will eliminate many excellent potential employees.

If you want to know whether someone will be a good team player, ask about the teamwork they displayed ON THE JOB. Ask them whether they worked on team projects and tasks, and what the results were.

In any event, being a team player is certainly not synonymous with being productive or producing high quality results. I know plenty of personable, backslapping jock types at work who are easy to get along with but who get very little accomplished.

Comment from Bill
Time: September 10, 2008, 1:16 pm

Maybe I’m an exception. I played all four high school team sports yet never felt comfortable in the Corporate world. I’m also like Sara, no one will ever out work me. Eventually I left Corporate America, went out on my own and seem quite content with the decision. As an individual that interviewed hundreds of people I was more interested in a person’s education and family up-bringing.

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