Key Sentence:
- Have you ever felt left out in a casual conversation with a customer.
That somehow turned into a lively summary of the fourth night’s stunning Sports Talk At Work final the previous night, or did you feel like an awkward underdog with a joke about the latest phenomenon in football? College or first round of drafts? If so, you are not alone.
While sports are undoubtedly Sports Talk At Work a healthy obsession for many professionals of all backgrounds, some of us aren’t big fans of the sport, while others don’t know the difference between a gunfight and a pickup truck. Unfortunately, this makes many coworkers uncomfortable in the conversation. Seattle Seahawks reporter and 20-year sports veteran Jen Mueller rejects the idea that everyone should be ignored and offers simple tips any professional can use to help them feel more confident.
With decades of experience in male-dominated Sports Talk At Work environments, the Mueller Talk Sporty to Me communications store offers sports fans (often, but certainly not always women) comprehensive insight into how they too can purposefully exchange ideas about sport in the workplace.
Given that the majority of adults in the United States are sports fans, Mueller asserts, “Talking about sports for business is invaluable, whether you’re a fan or not.” He also says that “sports talk” can be a powerful tool for building relationships. “Sports fans talk to other sports fans; it’s that simple,” he says. “That means sports talk is a powerful tool for connecting with others, building relationships, and expanding your network.”
For the most petite athletic of us, Mueller offers valuable practical advice.
Don’t fake it. While it can be tempting at times, Müller advises against faking sports talk. “If a colleague asks you what you think about a game you’ve never seen before, don’t try to fake yourself through conversation,” he emphasizes. Instead, mention what you did and ask coworkers to summarize their game or an opinion on what happened. “People value Authenticity, so pretending not to watch is usually a recipe for disaster.
Stick to what you know. Sports commentary can get very detailed very quickly, so don’t pretend to be an expert. “Don’t feel pressured to contribute to a conversation that weighs you down too much,” Müller emphasizes. “We all have to start somewhere. You’re not a cheater or forger because you know the gist of the game, but you’re not familiar with advanced stats and sabermetrics.
Your contribution to the conversation can be as an active listener. “Listening is a valuable opportunity to learn more about sports-related topics you may find interesting. So don’t underestimate the benefits of active listening.
Develop your knowledge slowly. Mueller advises against drinking from a fiery approach and instead suggests taking small steps to build sports knowledge. “Start by knowing the names of the teams in your city or region, then base your names on specific players or coaches,” he advises. “Start small by just reading the headlines; They give you a strong enough overview to stay up to date and build your sports knowledge base. Plus, sports fans might keep talking. “